US tariff rates for clothing and textiles are among the highest of any product category. See current rates by material, garment type, and country of origin for 2026.
Clothing tariffs in the US are determined by a complex matrix of factors: the fiber content (cotton, wool, synthetic, or blend), the type of garment (outerwear, underwear, accessories), whether the garment is knit or woven, and the gender and age group it is designed for. Two visually identical t-shirts can face vastly different duty rates based solely on their fabric composition. This complexity makes accurate HS code classification critical for apparel importers.
T-shirts and casual tops range from 16.5% (cotton) to 32% (synthetic). Denim jeans face rates of 9-17% depending on construction. Outerwear including jackets and coats ranges from 7.1% to 27.7%. Underwear and sleepwear from 8.5% to 16.1%. Socks and hosiery from 9% to 18.8%. These are base MFN rates before any additional tariffs for specific countries of origin.
China remains the world's largest apparel exporter but faces the highest combined tariff rates into the US at 30-55% for most garment types. Vietnam has become the second-largest source with rates of 15-35%. Bangladesh offers competitive rates of 15-32% with growing manufacturing capacity. India ranges from 15-30%. Mexico offers duty-free entry under USMCA for qualifying garments, making it attractive for brands seeking nearshore production despite higher labor costs.
US import duties on clothing range from 6% to 32% depending on the fiber content, garment type, and country of origin. Synthetic fiber garments (polyester, nylon) typically face higher MFN rates of 25-32%, while cotton garments range from 6-20%. These base rates may be further increased by Section 301 tariffs for China-origin goods and reciprocal surcharges.
Clothing tariffs are historically high because the US textile and apparel industry has long been protected through trade policy. Unlike electronics which often have 0% base MFN rates, apparel has among the highest MFN rates in the HTS schedule. This means even before Section 301 or reciprocal tariffs, clothing importers face significant duty burdens.
Yes, significantly. A men's cotton t-shirt (HTS 6109.10) faces a 16.5% MFN rate, while the same style in polyester (HTS 6109.90) faces 32%. Blended fabrics are classified based on the chief weight fiber. Accurate fiber content declaration is critical for correct classification and avoiding overpayment.
Yes. Under USMCA, qualifying garments produced in Mexico or Canada using North American yarn and fabric can enter the US duty-free. The yarn-forward rule requires that the yarn used to produce the fabric was formed in a USMCA country. Some Sub-Saharan African countries also benefit from duty-free access under the AGOA program.
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