Shipping by product · Apparel
Shipping clothing and textiles from China to the USA
Apparel has some of the most detailed rules in US import compliance: classification depends on fibre content and construction, labels are regulated, and cotton supply chains face forced-labour checks. Here's what to settle before production.
- HTS chapters
- 61 (knitted) · 62 (woven)
- Label rules
- FTC Textile and Care Labeling
- Supply-chain check
- UFLPA (forced labour)
Updated
How clothing is classified
Clothing classification turns on details that are easy to get wrong:
- Knitted or woven. Knitted garments go in chapter 61 and woven ones in chapter 62. A T-shirt is knitted; a dress shirt is usually woven.
- Fibre content. Cotton, synthetic, wool and blends each have their own tariff lines and duty rates. The fibre that predominates by weight usually decides.
- Gender and age. Men's, women's, boys', girls' and babies' garments often have different codes.
- Garment type and features — trousers versus shorts, coats versus jackets, and details such as linings and fastenings.
Apparel duty rates are among the highest in the tariff schedule, and many clothing items from China also carry Section 301 tariffs. Get the code confirmed with a sample and an accurate fibre breakdown — see HTS codes and tariffs.
Labelling requirements
Most clothing and household textiles sold in the US must carry permanent labels showing:
- Fibre content by generic name and percentage, for example "60% cotton, 40% polyester".
- Country of origin — "Made in China".
- The manufacturer or dealer — the company name or a Registered Identification Number (RN) issued by the FTC.
- Care instructions, under the FTC Care Labeling Rule.
Forced-labour checks (UFLPA)
Under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which took effect in June 2022, US Customs presumes that goods made wholly or partly in China's Xinjiang region, or by entities on the UFLPA Entity List, were made with forced labour, and can detain them. Cotton is a high-priority sector for enforcement.
- Ask suppliers where the cotton, yarn and fabric come from, not just where the garment was sewn
- Keep supply-chain documents — purchase orders, mill certificates and transport records — for each stage
- Check suppliers and their sub-suppliers against the UFLPA Entity List
Children's clothing
Clothing for children aged 12 and under is a children's product under CPSC rules. It needs third-party testing by a CPSC-accepted lab — for example for lead in paint and accessories — and a Children's Product Certificate. There are also specific rules on drawstrings in children's upper outerwear and flammability standards for children's sleepwear.
Shipping options
Clothing is light and compressible, so it ships efficiently by sea in cartons. Air freight works well for seasonal launches and replenishing fast-selling lines.
- Sea (LCL or FCL) for seasonal stock ordered months ahead.
- Air freight for samples, launches and top-ups.
- Garment-on-hanger containers are available for items that must not be folded, at extra cost.
Many apparel sellers ship straight into Amazon — see Amazon FBA shipping.
FAQ
Clothing & textiles: common questions
The questions importers ask us before the first booking. If yours is not here, ask us directly — a real coordinator replies, not an auto-responder.
What is the duty on clothing from China?
It depends on the fibre, whether the garment is knitted or woven, and the type of garment. Apparel duty rates are among the highest in the tariff schedule, and many items also carry Section 301 tariffs.
What labels does clothing need for the US?
Fibre content, country of origin, the manufacturer’s name or FTC RN number, and care instructions, attached permanently to the garment.
What is the UFLPA and does it affect my clothing imports?
The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act lets US Customs detain goods linked to Xinjiang or listed entities. Cotton is a priority sector, so keep documents tracing your cotton back to its source.
Does children’s clothing need testing?
Yes. Clothing for children aged 12 and under needs testing by a CPSC-accepted lab and a Children’s Product Certificate.