Racing Suit
HS Code

If you're ordering a custom racing suit from the United States and having it shipped internationally — or if you're an importer handling motorsport gear in bulk — you'll need the correct Harmonized System (HS) code to clear customs without delays or misclassification penalties.

The short answer: fire-resistant racing suits (Nomex or equivalent) are classified under HS heading 6210, subheading 6210.40. But the full picture is a little more nuanced, because the 8–10 digit code varies by country, and different pieces of racing gear fall under different headings.

The Harmonized System (HS) is a standardized international classification framework developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO). It assigns a numerical code to virtually every type of traded good — from raw materials to finished apparel — so that customs authorities in different countries can communicate using a common language.

HS codes are structured in layers:

• 2 digits — Chapter (e.g., Chapter 62: Articles of apparel, not knitted or crocheted)
• 4 digits — Heading (e.g., 6210: Garments made of fire-resistant fabrics)
• 6 digits — International subheading (e.g., 6210.40: Fire-resistant garments, men/boys, man-made fibres)
• 8–10 digits — Country-specific tariff code (varies by importing nation)

The first 6 digits are identical in every WCO member country. The last 2–4 digits are set by the importing country's national tariff schedule.

Racing suits are classified under Chapter 62 of the HS (Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted). Within Chapter 62, fire-resistant garments fall under Heading 6210:

Nomex® (meta-aramid) is an inherently flame-resistant fibre — it does not require chemical treatment to be fire-resistant, which is exactly what makes it ideal for SFI-rated race suits. This qualifies Nomex suits as "made of fire-resistant fabrics" under the heading 6210 definition.

The 6-digit subheadings under 6210 break down by gender and fibre type:

• 6210.10 — Garments of fabrics coated, covered, or laminated with plastic/rubber
• 6210.20 — Other garments, of the type worn by women/girls, of wool or fine animal hair
• 6210.30 — Other garments, of the type worn by women/girls, of man-made fibres
• 6210.40 — Other garments, of the type worn by men/boys, of man-made fibres ← Racing suits
• 6210.50 — Other garments, of other textile materials

Most SFI-certified racing suits — including one-piece and two-piece Nomex fire suits — are worn by male drivers and made from man-made aramid fibres. 6210.40 is the correct 6-digit subheading in virtually all cases.

The 10-digit tariff code and applicable duty rate vary by importing country. Below are the most common destinations for international racing gear orders:

Racing gloves and shoes are classified under different headings from the suit itself. Here's how they break down:

Racing Gloves — HS 6216.00

Fire-resistant racing gloves fall under Heading 6216 (Gloves, mittens and mitts). The applicable subheading depends on the material — Nomex/aramid gloves are typically classified as:

• 6216.00.46 — Gloves of man-made fibres (US HTS)
• 6216.00.00 — General gloves subheading (EU/UK CN)

Racing Shoes — HS 6402 / 6405

Racing shoes — even fire-resistant ones — are classified under Chapter 64 (Footwear), not Chapter 62. Leather-soled racing boots typically fall under:

• 6402.99 — Other footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber/plastics
• 6403.99 — Footwear with uppers of leather (applicable to cowhide racing shoes)
• 6405.20 — Other footwear, uppers of textile materials

The classification hinges on the upper material and sole material. HS Race Gear's racing shoes use genuine cowhide leather uppers — most importers classify them under 6403.99.

Many countries have a de minimis threshold — a value below which imported goods are cleared without customs duty or formal entry. If your racing suit order falls below this threshold, you may pay no import duty at all:

• United States: USD $800 de minimis — most individual racing suit orders clear duty-free
• Canada: CAD $20 formal entry threshold (very low — most orders attract duty)
• Australia: AUD $1,000 — GST still applies below this threshold from 2018
• European Union: EUR €150 — VAT applies on all imports regardless of value
• United Kingdom: GBP £135 — VAT is collected at point of sale for goods below this value

When ordering racing gear internationally, the commercial invoice included with your shipment should clearly state the following to help customs clearance go smoothly:

• HS / HTS code: 6210.40 (or country-specific full code)
• Product description: "Fire-resistant racing suit, Nomex aramid fibre, SFI 3.2A/X certified, one piece" (or two-piece as applicable)
• Country of origin: United States (HS Race Gear manufactures in Watertown, MA)
• Declared value: The actual transaction price paid in USD
• Quantity and weight: Number of units, gross weight in kg
• Intended end use: Motorsport safety equipment (not for resale, if applicable)

Is the HS code for a one-piece suit different from a two-piece?

No — both one-piece and two-piece fire-resistant racing suits classify under HS 6210.40. The distinction that matters for classification is the material (fire-resistant fabric) and the wearer type (men/boys), not the number of pieces.

What if my racing suit is made of cotton or polyester (not Nomex)?

If the suit is made of chemically-treated fire-retardant fabric rather than inherently flame-resistant Nomex, it may still classify under 6210.40 as long as the fabric meets the "fire-resistant" criteria. However, if the suit is a standard cotton or polyester suit with no fire-resistant treatment, it would more likely fall under 6211 (track suits and special purpose garments) rather than 6210.

Do I need a customs broker to import racing gear?

For a single personal-use purchase, a licensed customs broker is rarely required — postal and courier services (FedEx, DHL, UPS) typically handle customs clearance for individual parcels. For commercial imports — bulk orders for a team or retailer — a licensed customs broker is strongly recommended.

HS Race Gear ships custom SFI-certified racing suits worldwide from Watertown, MA. Every order ships with a commercial invoice that includes the correct HS code, declared value, and country of origin — making customs clearance as straightforward as possible for international buyers.

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