Fashion & Apparel Specialists

Expert Customs Clearance for Fashion & Textile Imports

Navigate complex duty rates, textile visas, and quota requirements with a broker who specializes in apparel. Fast, compliant clearance for your clothing, accessories, and textile shipments.

500+ Fashion Brands Served
12-24hr Average Clearance

Why Fashion Imports Are Complex

Apparel faces some of the highest duty rates and most complex regulations in international trade. Here's what you're dealing with:

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Highest Duty Rates in Trade

  • • T-shirts: 16.5% - 32.5% (varies by fiber)
  • • Dresses: 6.3% - 16%
  • • Pants: 14.9% - 29.7%
  • • Shoes: 8.5% - 48%
  • • Plus Section 301: +7.5% to +25% on China
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Textile Visa Requirements

  • • Required for many countries (China, India, Pakistan)
  • • Must be obtained BEFORE export from origin
  • • Missing visa = immediate hold (3-14 days minimum)
  • • Different visas for different garment categories
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Extremely Detailed Classification

  • • Fiber content percentages matter (60% vs 61% = different rate)
  • • Garment construction affects classification
  • • Men's vs women's = different duty rates
  • • One wrong digit = thousands in overpaid duties
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Country of Origin Complexity

  • • USMCA rules for North American textiles
  • • Section 301 exclusions require proof
  • • Transshipment enforcement (China via other countries)
  • • Physical marking requirements (Made in labels)

Reality Check: One misclassified shipment of $50,000 t-shirts can cost you $8,000+ in wrong duties. A fashion-specialized broker pays for itself in 1-2 shipments through correct classification alone.

Fashion Clearance Pricing

Shipment Type Value Range Broker Fee Typical Total
Section 321 (Small Fashion)
Sample orders, boutique quantities
 Under $800
$35 - $65
$35 - $65
No duties/MPF
Standard Fashion Entry
Most apparel shipments
 $800 - $50,000
$125 - $150
$175 - $200+
+MPF +duties
High-Value Fashion
Designer goods, large orders
 $50,000+
$150 - $175+
$210 - $235+
+MPF +duties

Fashion-Specific Cost Example:

Shipment: $20,000 of cotton t-shirts from China

Broker Fee: $150

MPF: $52.05

Base Duty (16.5%): $3,300

Section 301 (25%): $5,000

Total Cost: $8,502.05 (42.5% of shipment value!)

✓ If sourced from Vietnam instead (same quality):

$150 broker + $52 MPF + $0 duties (Vietnamese FTA) = $202.05 total

Savings: $8,300 per shipment — This is why country strategy matters!

Fashion Import FAQs

What are typical duty rates for apparel imports? +
Apparel typically faces some of the highest duty rates: T-shirts (16.5%), Dresses (up to 16%), Pants (up to 29.7%), Shoes (up to 48%). Rates vary by fiber content, construction method, and country of origin. Trade agreements (like USMCA) can reduce or eliminate duties.
Do I need a textile visa for my clothing imports? +
Textile visas are required for certain countries subject to quota restrictions under Section 204 of the Agricultural Act. China, for example, requires visas for many textile/apparel categories. Your broker will determine if a visa is needed based on country of origin and HTS classification. Missing visas cause immediate shipment holds.
What is Section 301 and how does it affect fashion imports? +
Section 301 tariffs add 7.5-25% additional duties on many Chinese-origin textiles and apparel beyond normal rates. This means a t-shirt could face 16.5% base duty PLUS 25% Section 301 tariff = 41.5% total. Alternative sourcing from Vietnam, Bangladesh, or USMCA countries avoids these tariffs.

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