As the temperature rises, instead of blowing air conditioning in your room, you might as well take a dip in the swimming pool. This article will take you through the commodity classification requirements for various swimming equipment.
Swimsuit
Swimsuits are special clothing designed for bathing and swimming. Modern swimsuits reduce water resistance from a practical point of view, while highlighting a healthy body from an aesthetic point of view. Men's swimsuit as a whole has not changed much in the course of history, while women's swimsuit has undergone many forms of change. It was not until the early 20th century that the classic one-piece and two-piece swimsuits were born.
Regardless of how the swimsuit changes and develops, its classification in the Customs Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the "Tariff") is still very clear. According to the description of "knitted or crocheted sportswear, ski wear and swimming wear" in Heading 61.12 of the Tariff, men's swimwear knitted or crocheted with synthetic fibers is classified under tariff No. 6112.3100, and women's swimwear is classified under tariff No. 6112.4100; men's swimwear made of other materials, knitted or crocheted, is classified under tariff No. 6112.3900 and women's swimwear is classified under tariff No. 6112.4900. In addition, according to the description of "sportswear, ski wear and swimming wear; other clothes" in Heading 62.11 of the Tariff, men's swimming wear made of wool or fine animal hair, silk and other textile materials that are not knitted or crocheted is classified under tariff No. 6211.1100, and women's swimming wear is classified under tariff No. 6211.1200.
Swimming cap
Wearing a swimming cap can prevent ear tremors and protect the head, reduce water flow resistance during swimming, and prevent hair from being completely immersed in pool water with high chlorine content, effectively reducing the damage of pool water to hair quality. The earliest swimming caps were hand-sewn from leather, and rubber swimming caps did not begin to be used until the early 20th century. Today's swimming caps are mostly made of silicone material, which is more elastic than rubber swimming caps, more comfortable to wear, and brightly colored and wear-resistant.
According to Chapter 65 of the Tariff, there is no separate tariff No. for swimming caps. The classification of hats is mainly based on the materials and workmanship of the hats. "Rubber or plastic" swimming caps are classified under tariff No. 6506.9100; "unspecified hats made of other materials (whether with or without lining or decoration)" are classified under tariff No. 6506.9990.
Swimming goggles
The development of swimming goggles is more interesting than swimming caps. It is said that they were invented by Persians in the 14th century to salvage pearls. But until the 1972 Munich Olympics, athletes were prohibited from wearing goggles in various swimming competitions due to comfort issues. After 1972, many well-known sports brands have successively launched comfortable and durable swimming goggles that buckle tightly around the eyes when worn. They are anti-fog and sealed, which effectively protects the eyes. Swimming goggles have gradually become a necessity for swimming.
According to the description of Heading 90.04 "Glasses, windshields and similar products for correcting vision, protecting eyes or other purposes" in the Tariff, swimming goggles are other glasses (except sunglasses and photochromic glasses) and should be classified under tariff No. 9004.9090.
Life jackets
If you are a novice swimmer and are worried that you will not be able to enjoy the fun of swimming, just put on a life jacket before entering the water. The life jackets we wear when swimming are more accurately casual life jackets. They are mostly made of composite materials with various colors. They are relatively light and comfortable, but also have a certain cold-proof effect; while the life jackets worn by water workers have requirements for important indicators such as production materials, buoyancy, buoyancy loss, reflective signs, etc., and can be equipped with GPS positioning systems. According to the description of "other manufactured products, including clothing cut samples" in Heading 63.07 of the Tariff, "life jackets and safety belts" of textile products should be classified under tariff No. 6307.2000.
Swimming snorkel
If you have mastered swimming skills but want to go further, then a swimming snorkel is needed in your daily practice. The swimming snorkel can help you avoid ventilation problems during swimming, stabilize your head, and focus on the arm stroke and leg kicking movements to obtain a streamlined swimming style. You will not get rid of the swimming snorkel until the swimming style is stable after training. Simple underwater breathing tubes (generally referred to as snorkels) for swimming or diving shall be classified under tariff No. 9506.2900 in accordance with the description of Heading 95.06 of the Tariff, "Supplies and equipment not specified in other headings of this Chapter for general physical activities, gymnastics, athletics and other sports (including table tennis) or outdoor games".
Shampoo and bath two-in-one sports bath agent
The water in public swimming pools often contains chlorine disinfectants, and skin and hair are susceptible to damage from chlorine agents during swimming. So after a swim in the pool, you need to wash your whole body thoroughly with clean running water immediately. At this time, a bottle of shampoo and bath two-in-one sports lotion has become a must-have for swimming. This two-in-one bath lotion has the dual functions of shampoo and shower gel. It generally contains surfactants and moisturizing ingredients, which can effectively remove bacteria and disinfectants while protecting the skin all over the body. Shampoos and other shampoos containing soap or other organic surfactants shall be classified under tariff No. 3305.1000 in accordance with the provisions of Heading 33.05 of the Tariff, combined with the exclusion clauses noted in Chapter 34.01.
August 7, 2025, China Inspection and Quarantine Times (Ge Shuangqing, Li Xingyu, and Peng Tengchao)
Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of China Inspection and Quarantine Times. The China Inspection and Quarantine Times version shall prevail.
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