Importing Clothing & Apparel from China: Duties & HTS Codes 2026
Chinese clothing pays 36.5% total US import duty in 2026 — 16.5% MFN + 7.5% Section 301 (List 4A) + the 12.5% forced-labor tariff. Bangladesh and India land at 26.5%, Vietnam at 29%, FTA-qualifying Morocco at 12.5% and USMCA-qualifying Mexico at 0%.
China Clothing & Apparel — US Import Duty Table 2026
| Product | HTS | MFN | §301 | Forced-labor | 2026 Total | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton t-shirts (knit) | 6109.10 | 16.5% | 7.5% | 12.5% | 36.5% | List 4A; 7.5% S301 (reduced from 15% Phase 1) |
| Men's cotton trousers (woven) | 6203.42 | 16.6% | 7.5% | 12.5% | 36.6% | List 4A |
| Women's cotton blouses | 6206.30.30 | 15.4% | 7.5% | 12.5% | 35.4% | List 4A |
| Men's wool suits | 6203.11 | 17.5% | 7.5% | 12.5% | 37.5% | List 4A |
| Synthetic fiber outerwear | 6201.40.75 | 27.7% | 7.5% | 12.5% | 47.7% | High MFN base on manmade fiber outerwear |
| Knit sweaters (cotton) | 6110.20 | 16.5% | 7.5% | 12.5% | 36.5% | List 4A |
| Women's swimwear (synthetic) | 6112.41.00 | 24.9% | 7.5% | 12.5% | 44.9% | List 4A |
| Down-filled jackets | 6201.40.55 | 4.4% | 7.5% | 12.5% | 24.4% | Lower MFN; List 4A |
| Hosiery / socks (cotton) | 6115.95 | 13.5% | 7.5% | 12.5% | 33.5% | List 4A |
| Leather footwear | 6403.59 | 10% | 7.5% | 12.5% | 30% | List 4A; footwear is separate from apparel |
China vs. Alternative Apparel Origins
| Origin | MFN | §301 | Forced-labor | Total | FTA / Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 16.5% | 7.5% | 12.5% | 36.5% | None — List 4A 7.5% + 12.5% forced-labor |
| Bangladesh | 16.5% | 0% | 10% | 26.5% | None — 10% tier; lowest-cost Asian apparel origin |
| Vietnam | 16.5% | 0% | 12.5% | 29% | None — 12.5% tier; world #3 apparel exporter |
| India | 16.5% | 0% | 10% | 26.5% | None — 10% tier; strong cotton production |
| Morocco | 0% | 0% | 12.5% | 12.5% | MFTA — FTA removes MFN; forced-labor tariff still applies |
| Mexico (USMCA) | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | USMCA — USMCA-qualifying goods are exempt from both |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the import duty on clothing from China in 2026?
Clothing from China pays three layers in 2026: (1) MFN duty — 16.5–27.7% for most apparel depending on fiber and construction (lower for down jackets and some wool); (2) Section 301 — 7.5% for most apparel (List 4A, cut from 15% in the 2020 Phase One deal); (3) the 12.5% forced-labor Section 301 tariff, which replaced the Section 122 surcharge on 24 July 2026. A cotton T-shirt pays 16.5% + 7.5% + 12.5% = 36.5%.
Is Section 301 on Chinese clothing 25% or 7.5%?
Most apparel from China is on Section 301 List 4A, which carries 7.5% (not 25%). List 4A tariffs were reduced from 15% to 7.5% under the US-China Phase 1 trade deal signed in January 2020 and maintained since. This is different from electronics, machinery, and other products on Lists 1–3 which face 25% Section 301.
Which country is cheapest to import clothing from?
Mexico is cheapest for USMCA-qualifying apparel: 0%, because qualifying goods are exempt from the forced-labor tariff too. Morocco's FTA removes MFN but not the 12.5% forced-labor tariff, so qualifying garments pay 12.5%. Among Asian origins, Bangladesh and India (10% tier) land a cotton T-shirt at 26.5%, Vietnam at 29% and China at 36.5%.
What replaced Section 122 for clothing from China?
Section 122 expired on 24 July 2026 and the forced-labor Section 301 tariff replaced it the same day, at 12.5% for China (up from 10%). A Chinese cotton T-shirt went from 34% to 36.5%. Bangladesh and India stayed at 10%, so their advantage over China widened to 10 points.
What is the HS code for importing t-shirts from China?
Cotton knit T-shirts are HTS 6109.10.00. From China they pay 16.5% MFN + 7.5% Section 301 + 12.5% forced-labor tariff = 36.5%. The same code pays 26.5% from Bangladesh or India, 29% from Vietnam, and 0% from Mexico if it qualifies under USMCA.
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