Importing Garments from India: Duties & HTS Codes 2026
India is the world's second-largest textile exporter. Indian garments pay 16–30% total US duty in 2026 — MFN apparel rates plus the 10% forced-labor tariff. No Section 301. India excels in cotton, leather, embroidery, and handloom specialty garments.
No China Section 301 list rate on Indian goods. China-origin garments pay 7.5% §301 on top of MFN, and 12.5% forced-labor tariff against India's 10%. For cotton T-shirts: India 26.5% vs China 36.5% (16.5% MFN + 7.5% §301 + 12.5%).
Indian Garments — US Import Duty Table 2026
| Product | HTS | MFN | §301 | Forced-labor | 2026 Total | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's woven cotton shirts | 6205.20 | 19.7% | 0% | 10% | 29.7% | No §301; cotton fabric tariff applies |
| Women's cotton blouses | 6206.30 | 15.4% | 0% | 10% | 25.4% | No §301 |
| Men's trousers (cotton) | 6203.42 | 16.6% | 0% | 10% | 26.6% | No §301 |
| Women's trousers (cotton) | 6204.62 | 16.6% | 0% | 10% | 26.6% | No §301 |
| T-shirts / knit cotton | 6109.10 | 16.5% | 0% | 10% | 26.5% | No §301; India is top global T-shirt source |
| Sweaters / knit pullovers | 6110.20 | 16.5% | 0% | 10% | 26.5% | No §301; cotton knits |
| Denim jeans | 6203.42 | 16.6% | 0% | 10% | 26.6% | No §301; India major denim producer |
| Suits (men's, woven fabric) | 6203.11 | 17.5% | 0% | 10% | 27.5% | No §301; wool suits |
| Dresses (women's, woven) | 6204.41 | 13.6% | 0% | 10% | 23.6% | No §301; synthetic fabric |
| Activewear / sports apparel | 6211.33 | 16% | 0% | 10% | 26% | No §301; man-made fibers |
| Embroidered ethnic wear (sarees) | 6211.42 | 8.1% | 0% | 10% | 18.1% | No §301; specialty Indian garments |
| Leather jackets | 4203.10 | 6% | 0% | 10% | 16% | No §301; India top leather garment source |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the import duty on garments from India in 2026?
Indian garments pay US MFN duty (about 8–20% for most apparel in HTS chapters 61–62) plus the 10% forced-labor Section 301 tariff that replaced the Section 122 surcharge on 24 July 2026 — India is in the 10% tier, so the total didn't change. There is no China Section 301 list rate. Cotton T-shirts: 26.5%; men's woven cotton shirts: 29.7%; leather jackets: 16%.
Does India have a free trade agreement with the US?
No. The US and India have no free trade agreement as of September 2026, though trade talks continue. India lost US GSP eligibility in June 2019, and the GSP program itself lapsed at the end of 2020. Indian garments therefore pay full MFN plus the 10% forced-labor tariff.
Why import garments from India instead of China or Bangladesh?
India pays no China Section 301 list rate and sits in the lower 10% forced-labor tier, so a cotton T-shirt is 26.5% from India against 36.5% from China and 29% from Vietnam — the same as Bangladesh. India also brings the world's #2 cotton production, deep hand-embroidery, ethnic-wear, luxury-cotton and leather capability, and growing athleisure capacity. Bangladesh usually wins on basic-garment labour cost; India on fabric range and quality.
What is the HTS code for cotton garments from India?
Cotton garments fall under HTS Chapter 61 (knitted/crocheted) and Chapter 62 (woven). Key codes: men's cotton shirts (6205.20), women's cotton blouses (6206.30), T-shirts and vests (6109.10), men's trousers (6203.42), women's trousers (6204.62), and sweaters (6110.20). The exact 10-digit HTS code depends on construction method (woven vs knit), fabric fiber, gender, and coverage. Use our HS Code Lookup tool to confirm.
What are the compliance requirements for importing garments from India?
US apparel imports require: (1) country of origin marking on each garment and outer packaging (FTC Textile Rules); (2) fiber content label (Textile Fiber Products Identification Act) — must list all fibers ≥5% by weight; (3) care instruction label (FTC Care Labeling Rule); (4) RN/WPL number if using a registered identification number; (5) for children's garments, CPSC testing for drawstring safety and flammability under CPSIA. Your customs broker files the entry summary; your supplier should provide a Certificate of Compliance for CPSIA-covered items.
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