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Importing Guide — India → USA

Importing Garments from India: Duties & HTS Codes 2026

India is the world's second-largest textile exporter. Indian garments face 22–30% total US duty in 2026 — MFN apparel rates plus the Section 122 surcharge. No Section 301. India excels in cotton, leather, embroidery, and handloom specialty garments.

Updated June 2026·5 min read
0%
Section 301 surcharge
China-specific only; India exempt
~26.5%
T-shirts / cotton knit
16.5% MFN + 10% §122
~29.7%
Men's woven shirts
19.7% MFN + 10% §122
~16%
Leather jackets
6% MFN + 10% §122; lowest in range

No Section 301 on Indian goods. China-origin garments face 7.5% §301 on top of already-high MFN apparel rates. India pays MFN only. For cotton T-shirts: India ~26.5% vs China ~34% (16.5% MFN + 7.5% §301 + 10% §122).

Indian Garments — US Import Duty Table 2026

ProductHTSMFN§301§1222026 TotalNote
Men's woven cotton shirts6205.2019.7%0%10%~29.7%No §301; cotton fabric tariff applies
Women's cotton blouses6206.3015.4%0%10%~25.4%No §301
Men's trousers (cotton)6203.4216.6%0%10%~26.6%No §301
Women's trousers (cotton)6204.6216.6%0%10%~26.6%No §301
T-shirts / knit cotton6109.1016.5%0%10%~26.5%No §301; India is top global T-shirt source
Sweaters / knit pullovers6110.2017.5%0%10%~27.5%No §301; cotton knits
Denim jeans6203.4216.6%0%10%~26.6%No §301; India major denim producer
Suits (men's, woven fabric)6203.1120%0%10%~30%No §301; wool suits
Dresses (women's, woven)6204.4112%0%10%~22%No §301; synthetic fabric
Activewear / sports apparel6211.3316%0%10%~26%No §301; man-made fibers
Embroidered ethnic wear (sarees)6211.4212%0%10%~22%No §301; specialty Indian garments
Leather jackets4203.106%0%10%~16%No §301; India top leather garment source

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the import duty on garments from India in 2026?

Garments imported from India face US MFN base duties (12–20% for most apparel categories under HTS Chapters 61–62) plus the Section 122 universal surcharge of 10%. There is no Section 301 on Indian goods — that is China-specific. Total effective duty for most Indian garments: 22–30%. India is significantly cheaper than China for apparel imports where §301 (7.5% on Chinese garments) previously applied.

Does India have a free trade agreement with the US?

No. The US and India do not have a bilateral free trade agreement as of mid-2026. US-India trade negotiations have been ongoing but no FTA has been concluded. India previously benefited from the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which provided 0% duty on many non-sensitive goods, but the US suspended India's GSP eligibility in June 2019. Unless GSP is reinstated or an FTA is concluded, Indian garments pay the full MFN rate.

Why import garments from India instead of China or Bangladesh?

India offers several advantages: (1) no Section 301 surcharges that apply to Chinese garments, (2) large cotton and textile production base (India is the world's #2 cotton producer), (3) strong specialization in hand-embroidery, ethnic wear, luxury cotton, and leather garments, (4) growing capacity for athleisure and technical fabrics. Bangladesh has lower MFN rates for some categories and lower labor costs, but India excels in quality, fabric variety, and cotton specialty items.

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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