6212.20.00 - Girdles and panty-girdles

This HTS category, 6212.20.00, specifically covers girdles and panty-girdles. These garments are designed to shape and support the wearer's torso and hips, often to create a smoother silhouette under clothing. They are characterized by their constricting nature and are typically made from elasticated fabrics or panels, featuring boning or other stiffening elements to enhance their shaping effect.

While this category falls under the broader heading for "Brassieres, girdles, corsets, braces, suspenders, garters and similar articles," it is distinct from its sibling categories. Specifically, it differs from 6212.10 (Brassieres), which are designed primarily to support the breasts, and 6212.30.00 (Corsets), which are generally more structured and cover a larger portion of the torso, often with a more pronounced shaping effect. This category is exclusively for items identified as girdles or panty-girdles.

Within this classification, further subdivisions exist based on the primary textile material used in their manufacture. These subcategories include items made of cotton (6212.20.00.10), man-made fibers (6212.20.00.20), and other textile materials (6212.20.00.30). This detailed breakdown allows for specific tariff treatment based on the fiber content, which is a crucial factor in international trade.