HS Code:
The Women's (639) category, typically falling under HS Code 62 (Articles of Apparel and Clothing Accessories, Not Knitted or Crocheted) or 61 (Articles of Apparel and Clothing Accessories, Knitted or Crocheted), encompasses a wide range of women's clothing items such as dresses, skirts, blouses, trousers, and outerwear. This category is a significant segment of the global apparel market, driven by fashion trends, seasonal demand, and evolving consumer preferences for sustainable and affordable clothing. The trade in this category reflects complex supply chains involving raw material sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution across multiple countries, with a strong presence of both high-end and fast-fashion brands.
Total Trade Volume
USD 150 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database & World Trade Organization (WTO)
USD 45 billion
30% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 20 billion
13.3% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 15 billion
10% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 10 billion
6.7% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 8 billion
5.3% of total trade of total trade
Stable
Average Rate
12%
Highest Rate
35% (applied by certain protective markets like Brazil and Argentina)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements such as EU-Vietnam FTA)
Rise of Sustainable Fashion
Increased demand for eco-friendly materials and ethical production practices, pushing manufacturers to adopt organic cotton and recycled fabrics.
2021-2023
Growth of E-commerce
Significant shift towards online retail platforms, enabling smaller brands to reach global markets and increasing competition in the sector.
2020-2023
Fast Fashion Dominance
Continued dominance of fast fashion brands due to low-cost production in countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam, though facing backlash for environmental impact.
2019-2023
The EVFTA, implemented in 2020, has reduced tariffs on Vietnamese apparel exports to the EU, boosting Vietnam's market share in the women's clothing category.
August 2020
Increased exports from Vietnam to the EU by approximately 20% since implementation.
Ongoing trade tensions have led to higher tariffs on Chinese apparel exports to the US, prompting a shift in sourcing to countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam.
2019-2023
Diversification of supply chains away from China, with a 10% reduction in US imports from China in this category.
The EU introduced stricter sustainability and transparency regulations for apparel imports, requiring detailed supply chain documentation.
March 2023
Increased compliance costs for exporters but improved consumer trust in sustainably sourced products.