HS Code for Baseball Cap: Guide for Sports Apparel

Caps might not be classified as important accessories, and it is only used for some occasions. Yet, caps and hats in general are becoming an essential fashion item to protect our heads from UV light and heat. For athletes, particularly in baseball, caps are part of their uniform. Not only used by athletes, but people who love baseball also wear caps while watching their favorite team in a stadium. This led to demand for baseball caps in the international market, especially in countries where baseball has gained popularity. For baseball cap traders, you need to classify the HS code for baseball caps. This article will uncover the HS code for baseball caps, major trading partners, and how to classify the HS code for baseball caps. 

What is a cap and a hat? What is the difference? 

Cap and hat are sometimes interchangeable; however, these two types of headwear are honestly quite similar. So, what are the distinctions between a cap and a hat? A hat is a broad range of headwear, including caps as well. However, hats are typically known as round headwear with full brims in entire circles for protection from sunlight. 

Caps, on the other hand, are a type of headwear and also a type of hat that has a special distinction based on their physical appearance. Unlike hats that are full of brim, caps have only a brim on the front side. Caps are mostly used as a sport or casual accessory rather than a formal accessory. Several types of caps can be divided based on their unique design. 

• Baseball cap: This cap is considered one of the most notable caps with a unique, rounded crown and a fitted style. This type of hat is uniquely made for baseball players to protect them from the sun. 
• Snapback cap: This cap has a similar structure to a baseball cap, but it has an adjustable closure to ensure the cap fits the user’s head. 
• Felt cap: Similar to a baseball cap that is fitted to the head, but a felt cap is not made from woven fabrics. Instead, the felt cap is made from wool or animal hair. 

List of HS codes for baseball caps and other caps

Once you know the types of caps, we can help you to classify the HS code for baseball caps. HS code for baseball caps falls under the same umbrella classification as other HS codes for hats or headwear. The HS tariff code for baseball caps is 6505.00, and we will explain it in the table below. 

Classification	Description
65 (Chapter)	Headgear and other parts
6505 (Heading)	Hats and other headwear
6505.00 (Subheading)	Hats and other headwear, including caps

Some of the baseball caps also come with accessories, such as inserts, also known as lightweight inner liners, to retain the structure. The classification of the HS code for inner liners is not the same as the HS code for baseball caps or other hats. They are classified under the code 6507.00, and we will explain it in the table below. 

Classification	Description
65 (Chapter)	Headgear and other parts
6507 (Heading)	Headband, lining gears, and headwear accessories.
6507.00 (Subheading)	Headwear accessories, including lightweight inner liners.

Top baseball caps exporters and importers

In this section, we will find out together about the major trading partners of baseball caps in the world. From the classification of the HS code, baseball caps are included under the general category of textile hats or HS code 6505.00. It is under the same classification as other hats, such as fedoras, snapback caps, and other types of hats. The following table is the largest exporters ot general hats under code 6505.00 in the world in 2024. 

Country	Total Export Value (USD)
China	3,624,989,431
Italy	418,178,665
Germany	410,736,729
Netherlands	362,443,769
France	251,376,507

Source: UN Comtrade Database, accessed June 22, 2026. 

China is no doubt the biggest exporter of general hats, including baseball caps, in the world, with a value of more than 3.6 billion USD. It is followed by Italy in the second position with a market value of more than 418 million USD. The other remaining countries are Germany, the Netherlands, and France. 

Country	Total Import Value (USD)
United States	2,213,511,577
Germany	507,129,553
Japan	506,831,057
France	389,196,133
Netherlands	277,842,126

Source: UN Comtrade Database, accessed June 22, 2026. 

The largest importer of general textile hats, including baseball caps, is the United States, with an amount of slightly more than 2.2 billion USD. The United States is followed by Germany with a market value of more than 507 million USD in 2024. The other biggest markets for hats are Japan, France, and the Netherlands. 

How to classify the accurate HS code for a baseball cap

Classifying the HS code for a baseball cap may require a meticulous process, especially if you do this manually. To simplify the classification process of HS codes for baseball caps, you can use an application called HSCodeMatch. With this app, you can search the HS code for baseball caps based on national variation without a complicated process. 

In this section, we will teach you how to find the HS code for baseball caps using HSCodeMatch. The following instruction is the step-by-step classification of the HS code for a baseball cap using the trade lanes between the largest trade partners above, such as Italy and the United States. 

Step 1: Set the product name on HS Code Search

Using HSCodeMatch is super simple; you only need to access app.hscodematch.com and find HS Code Search. Then, just set the product’s name, baseball caps, and the origin country, Italy, and the destination country, the United States. 

Step 2: Check the HS code lists for baseball caps

Once you submit all of the requirements, HSCodeMatch will provide the most accurate HS code for baseball caps based on the AI classification. In this step, you can check the description to find the most relevant HS code for your baseball cap products. 

Step 3: Review the HS code for baseball caps on HS Code Details

Tap Full Details to find the full information of HS code 6505.00.20.60 on the HS Code Details page. In this page, you will uncover the HS code description, applicable tariff rate, and product regulations for baseball-style caps. 

Step 4: Ask the AI Assistant about the export procedure for baseball caps into the United States

If you have any inquiries or confusion while finding the specific regulations or tariff rates, just ask the AI Chatbot Assistant. 

To explain more about the AI Chatbot Assistant, we will provide three examples of questions and answers about the exportation of baseball caps from Italy to the United States below. 

Are there any additional tariff duties for exporting baseball caps under HS code 6505002060 from Italy to the United States? 

No additional tariff rates are applied to the baseball caps from Italy to the United States. In order to export baseball caps, a 7.5% ad valorem duty rate applies, and there is an exemption if the shipment is under the de minimis rule of $800 or less. However, all Italian exporters must make sure the classification of the HS code and valuation are correct to avoid penalties for declaring the incorrect HS code. Here is the list of tariff rates applies to baseball caps in the United States. 

Regulation	Key requirement	Authority
General Rate of Duty	7.5% ad valorem duty for imports, excluding FTA	CBP
Preferential Duty Rate (Free)	0% duty for countries with FTA	CBP
Column 2 Rate of Duty	37.5% for non-MFN countries or under sanctions	CBP
CBI Preference	0% duty for Caribbean Basin countries.	CBP
Korea FTA Preference (KR)	0% duty import from South Korea	CBP

What are the labeling requirements for exporting caps under the HS code 6505002060 from Italy to the United States? 

For exporting caps under the HS code 6505002060 from Italy to the United States, the exporters must ensure compliance with the labeling requirements under the Textile and Wool Acts. All imported caps are exempt from the Care Labeling Rule in the US, but they need to follow the flammability testing if the products are not fabric-exempt under CPSC standards. Therefore, caps may need to do a third-party conformity assessment and recordkeeping. Thus, exporters need to verify the fabric’s exemption if they do not want to incur penalties or shipment delays. Here is the regulatory requirement table for exporting caps in the United States. 

Regulation	Key requirements	Regulator
Textile and Wool Acts	Country of origin labeling (Made in Italy)	FTC, CBP
16 CFR part 303	Fiber content disclosure (Cotton 80%)	FTC
National Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles (16 CFR part 1610)	Third-party flammability testing	CPSC
Recordkeeping for flammability standards	Testing records of maintenance and guarantees	CPSC

Does the CPSC require separate testing for children’s caps versus adult caps under HS code 6505002060?

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulates the different requirements for children’s and adult caps, especially for third-party testing and certification. Although the products are under the same HS code, the mandatory testing of children’s caps is under the Children’s Products Certificate (CPC). Meanwhile, the adult cap may require obtaining a General Certificate of Conformity. 

Regulation	Key Requirement	Deadline	Authority
16 CFR 1500.91	Limitations of textile products for children	<100 ppm lead content	CPSC
16 CFR part 1611	Flammability testing for plastic films	Must be higher than the flammability standard	CPSC
Children’s Product Certificate	Requirement for children products	Apply on each shipping	CPSC
General Certificate of Conformity	GCC is required for adult products	During import	CBP

Conclusion 

Classifying 6 digit of HS code for baseball caps is not that complicated because it is included under the HS Subheading 6505.00. However, exporters and importers also need to find the national-level HS code, which is quite challenging. All countries are classified further by the HS code for baseball caps, from the general 6-digit HS code to 8- to 12-digit numbers. In the United States, the classification of HTSUS is based on materials, the manufacturing process, such as knitted or non-knitted, age of users, including adults and babies, and others. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): HS code for baseball caps 

1. What is the national level HS code for non-knitted baseball caps in the United States? 

The national standard HS code for non-knitted cotton baseball caps in the United States is 6505.00.20.60. However, this code is specifically for adult products, and the baseball caps for babies fall under HTSUS 6505.00.20.30. 

2. What is the national variation of the HS code for knitted baseball caps in the United States? 

The national level HS code for knitted baseball-style caps in the United States is 6505.00.30.45 for the visor are not cover the crown. Whereas the HTSUS code for knitted baseball-style caps for babies is 6505.00.30.30. 

3. What is the tariff rate for exporting baseball caps from Italy to the United States? 

The tariff rate for exporting baseball caps from Italy to the United States is 7.5%, and it is based on the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) regime. It means there is no preferential tariff rate for Italian baseball caps in the US. 

4. What is the HS code for exporting the inserts of baseball caps? 

Inserts for baseball caps can be categorized as accessories of headwear and cannot be classified under the same code as regular hats. Therefore, the applicable HS code is 6507.00. 

5. Are HS codes for baseball caps and other caps the same? 

Yes, all of the caps and hats, regardless of the style, made from textile materials, are under the same code 6505.00. Instead of classifying by the general HS code, exporters and importers need to classify directly into the national variation of the HS code.