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62089100
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES, NOT KNITTED OR CROCHETEDWomen's or girls' singlets and other vests, slips, petticoats, briefs, panties, nightdresses, pyjamas, négligés, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles

Other - Of cotton

Product characteristics and tariff classification

CN code 620891 covers other women's or girls' garments of cotton, made from woven fabrics, not covered by subheadings 620811–620829. Heading 6208 classifies a wide range of women's personal undergarments and domestic garments. Under code 620891 are women's cotton bathrobes, negligees, woven cotton briefs, sleep suits and other cotton undergarments not separately specified. Cotton must be the predominant fibre by weight. The material must be woven - knitted equivalents are classified under Chapter 61. When classifying, the product type must be precisely identified, as heading 6208 covers diverse products with different construction characteristics.

Regulatory requirements and safety

Cotton women's garments imported into the EU are subject to the Textile Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 regarding fibre composition labelling. Labels must state the percentage of cotton and any admixtures. As products with direct skin contact, items under code 620891 are subject to strict REACH limits on azo dyes (30 mg/kg), formaldehyde (75 mg/kg) and fabric pH. The GPSR Regulation (EU) 2023/988 requires importers to ensure product safety, conduct risk assessments and maintain traceability systems. Women's cotton bathrobes should undergo risk assessment addressing flammability and mechanical safety of elements such as belts and cords. Woven cotton briefs require particular attention to chemical safety.

Import and customs documentation

The customs declaration for products under CN code 620891 should precisely describe the product type (bathrobe, negligee, briefs), material (cotton), intended gender and construction method (woven). Precise description is important as this subheading covers various types of undergarments. Cotton women's underwear is imported mainly from India, Bangladesh, Turkey and China. Preferential duty rates are available under FTA agreements, the Turkey customs union and the GSP system. Rules of origin require at least two processing stages in the beneficiary country. Documentation should include a commercial invoice, material specification and certificate of origin.

Women's cotton underwear - chemical safety requirements

CN 6208 91 covers women's knickers, bathrobes and dressing gowns of cotton, made from woven fabric. Cotton underwear as a product with direct and prolonged skin contact is subject to the strictest REACH requirements for restricted substances. The permissible formaldehyde content is max. 75 mg/kg. Azo dyes releasing carcinogenic amines are completely prohibited. Importers should hold test reports from accredited laboratories confirming chemical safety.

Frequently asked questions

Is a women's cotton bathrobe classified under code 620891?
Yes. Women's bathrobes of woven cotton fabric belong to code 620891, which covers other women's garments of cotton not covered by subheadings for slips and nightdresses. Women's cotton terry bathrobes are also classified under this code, provided the terry is woven material.
What products besides bathrobes are classified under code 620891?
Code 620891 covers women's woven cotton briefs, negligees, sleep suits, bathrobes and other women's cotton undergarments not covered by codes 620811–620829. The key requirement is that the product is made from woven fabric (not knitted) and cotton is the predominant fibre.
Is the import of women's underwear from Turkey duty-free?
Yes. Turkey is covered by the EU customs union for industrial products, meaning zero duty provided the goods originate in Turkey and are in free circulation. An A.TR movement certificate is required. This should be distinguished from FTA preferences, which require compliance with rules of origin.
What is the formaldehyde limit for underwear CN 6208 91?
The permissible formaldehyde content in women's skin-contact underwear under CN 6208 91 is max. 75 mg/kg per REACH regulation (Annex XVII, entry 72).