USFIA - United States Fashion Industry Association

Analysis of Global Apparel Import Tariff Rates

President Trump promises he will announce reciprocal tariffs on April 2nd. In advance, we share this recent analysis from Dr. Sheng Lu, Professor in the University of Delaware’s Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies:

Apparel Import Tariff Rates around the World (Updated March 2025)

Apparel products are often subject to high tariffs for various reasons. In developed countries such as the United States, apparel has long been considered an “import-sensitive” sector, with relatively high tariff rates imposed primarily to “protect” specific domestic interest groups with political influences.

However, as importers, not exporters, pay the tariffs, heavy import duties have been a significant concern for US fashion companies for decades. According to data from the US International Trade Commission (USITC), in 2024, apparel (HS chapters 61 and 62) accounted for about 2.5 percent of total US imports but contributed approximately 15.6 percent of total tariff duties. Likewise, US fashion companies paid $11.9 billion in tariffs on apparel imports in 2024, an increase from $11.6 billion in 2023. The average applied tariff rate for apparel items reached 14.6% in 2024, a notable increase from 13.7% before the imposition of Section 301 tariffs on Chinese products. Additionally, due to retail markups, every $1 in tariffs could result in a $1.50 to $2 increase in the final retail price.

Meanwhile, developing countries, especially those least developed, also often impose high tariffs on apparel—either to protect their nascent domestic industries from import competition or to generate government revenues. For example, in Africa, the apparel import tariff rate commonly exceeds 35% as of 2023 (the latest data available).

In February 2025, President Trump announced the imposition of a so-called “reciprocal tariff,” aiming to “match” the tariff rates that other countries impose on US exports, thereby promoting “fairer trade practices.” However, the details of the “reciprocal tariff” idea remain highly uncertain.

In theory, if strict “tariff matching” is required on a product-by-product basis, US apparel imports from most leading sourcing destinations—particularly those in Asia without a free trade agreement with the US–would face a significant increase in tariffs. Similarly, beneficiary countries under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) could face a similar issue, as AGOA is a trade preference program that does not provide duty-free market access for US products in Africa. If apparel exports from AGOA-member countries to the US were subjected to the same 35%+ tariff rates that US products currently face in their markets, it would be a devastating scenario.

Associations and CEOs Urge President Trump to Reconsider 301 Tariffs on China

President Trump received two letters—including one signed by the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA)—expressing concerns about potential tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The Administration is investigating China’s intellectual property and technology policies and considering broad tariff remedies on imports from China. One letter, available here, was signed by more than two dozen fashion and retail CEOs, including USFIA members American Eagle Outfitters, JCPenney, Kohl’s, Levi Strauss & Co., and Macy’s, among others. The other letter, available here, was signed by more than 40 trade associations across fashion, retail, tech, autos, and food and beverages. The Wall Street Journal has more on the trade association letter.

Behind the Seams: Lower Tariffs Could Make Quite a Difference for the High-End Fashion Industry and for Brand-Conscious Fashionistas

"Only 3% of garment imports come from Europe", says Julia Hughes from the U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel who also admits to go on shoe buying sprees during trips to the other side of the Atlantic. But the volume is big enough – and both sides would benefit from a more unified transatlantic market.

Click here to read the entire article on the Behind the Seams website.

Bloomberg: ‘Made in Cambodia’ May Become New Fashion Label With Tariffs Hitting China

By Uliana Pavlova

The next designer handbag you buy is less likely to bear a “made in China” label.

Fashion companies, eager to diversify their supply chains, were already expanding into production sites in Southeast Asia as alternatives to China. Then the trade war happened...

A study released in July by the U.S. Fashion Industry Association showed that, while all of the companies participating in the survey sourced goods from China, 67 percent expected to decrease the value or volume of production in the country over the next two years. U.S. trade protectionism was listed as the number one challenge for the industry.

Click here to read the entire article on the Bloomberg website.

California Apparel News: European Retaliation Tariffs Planned on U.S. Clothing

By Deborah Belgum

Several apparel trade organizations were livid about the steel and aluminum tariffs, which Trump has been threatening for some time and that followed recently imposed tariffs on solar panels and washing machines.

“We know these tariffs will be catastrophic for the U.S. economy and jobs,” wrote the U.S. Fashion Industry Association in Washington, D.C. “While our members don’t import a lot of steel or aluminum, these tariffs could result in disastrous consequences for them. Already, the European Union is calling out a variety of industries, including iconic American denim and T-shirts, as potential targets for tariff increases of their own.”

The trade association noted that imports support high-quality jobs for Americans, help U.S. businesses to grow and encourage American companies to do good in other parts of the world.

Click here to read the entire article on the California Apparel News website.

California Apparel News: New Tariffs on Chinese Goods Have Apparel Manufacturers Worried

By Deborah Belgum

Taking a more sanguine approach on impending tariffs is Julie Hughes, president of the U.S. Fashion Industry Association, a Washington, D.C., group representing apparel and fashion-goods importers. She doesn’t believe new tariffs are necessarily a done deal. “I don’t think they are going to do anything until the two leaders [of China and the United States] meet. The Chinese are pretty smart,” she said. “I suspect they have a strategy.”

Click here to read the entire article on the California Apparel News website.

Cantwell and Grassley Introduce Trade Review Act of 2025

Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), both members of the Senate Finance Committee, introduced legislation yesterday to “reaffirm Congress’ key role in setting and approving U.S. trade policy.” The Trade Review Act of 2025 would “reestablish limits on the president’s ability to impose unilateral tariffs without the approval of Congress.” According to the press releases from Cantwell and Grassley’s offices:

The bill restores Congress’ authority and responsibility over tariffs as outlined in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution by placing the following limits on the president’s power to impose tariffs:

To enact a new tariff, the president must notify Congress of the imposition of (or increase in) the tariff within 48 hours.

The Congressional notification must include an explanation of the president’s reasoning for imposing or raising the tariff, and

Provide analysis of potential impact on American businesses and consumers.

Within 60 days, Congress must pass a joint resolution of approval on the new tariff, otherwise all new tariffs on imports expire after that deadline.

Under the bill, Congress has the ability to end tariffs at any time by passing a resolution of disapproval.

Anti-dumping and countervailing duties are excluded.

Cantwell also released a statement on April 2 condemning the increased costs from Trump’s reciprocal tariff announcement and the “economic chaos” caused by his “unpredictable and ever-changing tariff announcements.”

China Cuts Tariffs on 800 Imported Products

The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council released the 2016 Interim Duty Rates List on 4 December 2015, covering a tariff reduction on 787 tariff codes, including certain apparel, footwear, leather goods and sunglasses. The new rates will be effective from 1 January 2016.

This is in line with the country's policy to relax tariff barriers and intention to boost domestic consumption on consumer and luxury goods.

The Interim Duty Rate is a temporary reduction on import duties which lasts for 1-2 years or sometimes longer, depending on market and economic circumstances.

There has also been discussions around potential consumption tax adjustments, which has been in talks by the Chinese Government since the 12th 5-year plan. The direction is to impose or increase consumption taxes on products such as those that are environmentally unfriendly, while relaxing consumption taxes on goods that were once considered as "luxurious" but have now become a common commodity. So far there has not been substantial implementation details released in this regard.

Having said the above, given the direction of the China Government's policy development, there is possibility that the Government together with China Customs may consider further adjusting tariffs on consumer and luxury products (those that are currently not included in the list). Based on the usual Interim Duty Rates regime, businesses or lobbying associations may pro-actively lodge Interim Duty Rate applications if they would like a specific tariff code to be reviewed and considered. Customs would often give priority to those products that have the right political, economical and commercial support.

For more information, contact Queena Lau, Manager in PwC's Worldwide Management Services in Shanghai, at +86 (21) 2323 1156 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

China Economic Review: Fashion labels shift production from China to Cambodia to avoid US tariffs

Global fashion companies are accelerating plans to diversify their manufacturing operations away from China to Southeast Asian countries including Vietnam and Cambodia due to the threat of US tariffs on Chinese imports, Bloombergreports.

Nearly 70% of fashion industry executives say they plan to reduce the percentage of their products sourced from China over the next two years and name US trade protectionism as the largest challenge facing the industry, according to a recent study by the US Fashion Industry Association.

Click here to read the entire article on the China Economic Review website.

China’s Plunging Denim Exports to the US Show Tariffs’ Taxing Toll

By Arthur Friedman

The tariffs on U.S. apparel imports from China keep taking a bigger toll on the country’s role as a denim supplier, while other countries such as Vietnam, Egypt and Nicaragua gain ground.

China’s declines were most dramatic in September and October, as 15 percent tariffs were imposed on Sept. 1 and many companies took action to get goods in under the wire in July and August, said Julia Hughes, president of the U.S. Fashion Industry Association.

Click here to read the full article.

CSIS: Tariffs Using Emergency Economic Powers Risk Undermining U.S. Economic Security

On Monday, the Center for Strategic and International Studies published an analysis of Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico. Navin Girishankar, President of the Economic and Security Technology Department, and Philip Luck, Director of the Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business, discuss how the tariffs against Mexico and Canada “in particular risk undermining U.S. economic security by their direct economic repercussions” and their “inadequacy in motivating policy change by our partners, and their likelihood of degrading partnerships essential to countering global threats, in particular from China.”

The authors also ponder the endgame of this strategy:

The more interesting question is what the administration seeks in exchange for removing tariff threats: point-in-time reductions in the merchandise trade deficit, relatively narrow noneconomic ends such as fentanyl interdiction, or cooperation on the innovation and commercialization of critical and advanced technologies. If it is the third, then the modus operandi will likely need to change. The United States does not have an absolute advantage across sectors and technologies that will drive growth and security. It needs its long-standing partners, particularly its neighbors.

Drapers: China tariffs to ‘create chaos’ in US fashion supply chain

By Tara Hounsela

Starting next week, President Trump’s administration in the US is imposing $200bn (£152bn) more tariffs on Chinese goods, including several fashion and consumer products – a decision that has been strongly opposed by the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA).

The organisation said the tariffs would add considerable disruption to the supply chain, and would amount to a tax on consumers.

Click here to read the entire article on the Drapers website.

Fibre2Fashion: Study analyses impact of new US tariffs on textile-apparel

China is the United States’ largest trading partner in the apparel and textiles category.

China accounted for 11-30 per cent of all apparel and footwear goods imported to the United States in 2018, down from 30-50 per cent earlier, according to a survey conducted by the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA).

Click here to read the entire article on the Fibre2Fashion website.

Fibre2Fashion: Trump announces tariffs on $200 bn worth Chinese imports

Meanwhile, the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) strongly opposed President Trump’s action.

“In addition to amounting to a tax on consumers, these tariffs will add considerable disruption to the supply chain; the fact that the tariffs will start at 10 percent now and will rise to 25 percent on January 1st creates additional chaos in the fashion industry’s supply chains, which will have a wide-ranging negative impact on consumers, companies, and jobs in the United States, the association said in a statement.

Click here to read the entire article on the Fibre2Fashion website.

Fibre2Fashion: USFIA & FDRA urge tariff reconsideration, citing rising costs

March 6, 2025

INSIGHTS

Industry leaders caution that new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China could disrupt supply chains and strain businesses and consumers.
The apparel and footwear sectors, already facing high tariffs, fear further inflation.
FDRA reports a 26.2 per cent drop in footwear sales, linking it to inflation concerns.
Business leaders urge the administration to reconsider its tariff strategy.

Industry leaders are expressing concern over the Trump Administration’s decision to introduce additional tariffs on key trading partners, cautioning that the move could disrupt supply chains, contribute to inflation, and impact American businesses....

Industry representatives argue that the new tariffs fail to account for the deeply interconnected trade networks that have evolved over the past three decades under regional free trade agreements.

The Western Hemisphere’s apparel supply chain relies heavily on cross-border collaboration, and these new measures could disrupt a well-established system, impacting businesses and consumers alike. The ‘Made in’ label reveals only part of a garment's journey. A simple cotton T-shirt undergoes a complex process—from design and manufacturing to logistics and distribution, United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) said in a statement.

The US textile sector is particularly intertwined with Mexico, which sources about 60 per cent of its textile production needs from American cotton, according to the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. Official trade data further underscores these ties, with US apparel imports from USMCA partners Mexico and Canada reaching $3.1 billion in 2024, accounting for 3 per cent of total imports.

Fibre2Fashion: USFIA condemns new tariffs as disproportionate, damaging

April 3, 2025

INSIGHTS

USFIA has criticised new tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration, warning they will severely impact American fashion brands, consumers, and supply chains.
The fashion industry, heavily reliant on global manufacturing, already faces high tariffs—averaging 14.6 per cent on apparel.
Lower-income families and women will be especially affected.

United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) has voiced strong opposition to the Trump Administration’s latest decision to impose sweeping new tariffs on all imports, warning that the move will disproportionately harm American fashion brands, retailers, and families.

The new tariffs, some of which target key US trading partners with so-called ‘worst offender’ rates, are expected to significantly disrupt global supply chains—a cornerstone of the fashion industry. Industry leaders argue that few other sectors are as reliant on international manufacturing networks. A single garment can cross multiple borders before reaching the retail floor: a bale of cotton grown in Texas might be spun in Europe, woven in Korea, assembled in Vietnam, and ultimately sold back in Texas—or in global markets like Singapore, Japan, Dubai, or London.

“While tariffs can be a useful tool in addressing unfair trade practices, they disproportionately impact the fashion industry. US imports of textiles and apparel are subjected to some of the highest tariff rates. For example, in 2024, the average tariff on steel was 5 per cent, while the average tariff on apparel was a staggering 14.6 per cent,” the USFIA said in a press release.

The burden of these tariffs is not confined to businesses—it also hits American consumers, especially lower-income households. These families spend a higher proportion of their income on clothing and footwear, and the current system penalises them more harshly. For example, a luxury cashmere sweater faces a 4 per cent tariff, while a lower-cost acrylic equivalent is taxed at 32 per cent.

In addition, women are disproportionately affected due to what experts refer to as a ‘pink tax’—where women’s and unisex clothing is taxed at higher rates than men’s apparel. According to findings by the US International Trade Commission, US households paid $2.77 billion more in tariffs on women’s apparel than on men's in recent years.

Despite the high tariffs—including the $13.2 billion collected by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in 2024, which represented 16.6 per cent of all tariffs, and an additional $2.48 billion in Section 301 remedies on textile and apparel goods—reshoring has not materialised. Only 3 per cent of apparel sold in the US is currently manufactured domestically, a figure that has remained relatively stagnant, the release added.

The USFIA is calling on the President and trade officials to reconsider the tariffs and instead work toward lowering costs for both businesses and families.

“We urge the President and Administration trade officials to reconsider these tariffs and focus on supporting American families and American companies with lower costs and the benefits of trade,” it said.

Read this on Fibre2Fashion

How Tariffs Affect U.S. Apparel Import Prices and Retail Prices

Dr. Sheng Lu, Professor in the University of Delaware’s Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies, published a new analysis exploring the relationship between U.S. apparel import tariffs, U.S. apparel import prices, and U.S. apparel retail prices. We reprint it in full below:

According to the “America First Trade Policy” released in January 2025, the Trump administration aims to leverage tariffs to achieve various policy objectives, from reducing the U.S. trade deficit to countering “unfair” trading practices.

On February 1, 2025, the Trump Administration further announced the implementation of a 25% punitive tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, along with an additional 10% punitive tariff on goods from China, in addition to the existing duties. With over 98% of clothing sold in the U.S. imported from abroad, U.S. fashion apparel companies are likely to be among the hardest hit by the tariff increase, particularly since Mexico and China are two of the leading apparel-sourcing destinations for the country.

This study aims to explore the dynamic relationship between U.S. apparel import tariffs, U.S. apparel import prices, and U.S. apparel retail prices. Since tariff rates, import prices, and retail prices are interrelated, a vector autoregression model (VAR) was used to analyze their interactions. The analysis was based on monthly data from January 2015 to November 2024 (latest data available), including:

U.S. apparel tariff rate (data source: USITC; tariff rate=value of calculated duties/custom values)

Price index of U.S. apparel imports (data source: St. Lous Federal Reserve; January 2015=100)

Price index of U.S. apparel retail price (data source: St. Louis Federal Reserve; January 2015=100)

Index of U.S. apparel retail sales (data source: St. Louis Federal Reserve; January 2015=100)

Consumer Price Index for all U.S. urban consumers (data source: St. Louis Federal Reserve; January 2015=100)

The results show that:

First, from January 2015 to November 2024, the average U.S. apparel tariff rate ranged from 12% to 17%. The fluctuation of the tariff rate during that period was primarily caused by the U.S. imposition of Section 301 punitive tariffs on imports from China, along with fashion companies shifting their sourcing from China to other countries, including members of U.S. free trade agreements.

Second, the average price of U.S. apparel imports rose by approximately 6% from January 2015 to November 2024, which aligns with the U.S. apparel retail price increase of 4%. However, this increase was significantly lower than the 34% rise in the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the same period. This pattern shows that despite overall inflation and higher operational costs, apparel exporters and U.S. retailers remained cautious about increasing prices due to intense market competition.

Third, the impulse response function (IRF) indicates that a positive tariff shock (i.e., a tariff increase) would lead to a rise in the U.S. apparel retail price. However, the magnitude of this effect is moderate, with the impact being most felt two months later. Specifically, a one-standard-deviation increase in tariffs would result in a 0.16 standard deviation increase in retail prices during Period 3. In other words, the price effect of the tariff increase typically appears in about two months. However, U.S. fashion retailers usually do not transfer the entire burden of tariffs to consumers, likely because of fierce competition in the market.

Fourth, the impulse response function (IRF) indicates that a positive tariff shock (i.e., a tariff increase) would lead to a slight decline in U.S. apparel import prices. This price decrease would also persist for about three months. Specifically, a one-standard-deviation increase in tariffs would result in approximately a 0.01 standard deviation decrease in apparel import prices through Period 4. This result aligns with previous studies indicating that following the implementation of Section 301 punitive tariffs in 2018, some Chinese exporters agreed to reduce their selling prices to keep sourcing orders.

Fifth, the impulse response function (IRF) further shows that a positive tariff shock (i.e., a tariff increase) could hurt U.S. apparel retail sales in the short to medium term. Specifically, a one-standard-deviation increase in tariffs would lead to approximately a 0.82-2.33 standard deviation decrease in U.S. apparel retail sales from Period 3 through Period 5. This result may be driven by higher selling prices, suppressing consumer spending on clothing.

Additionally, the variance decomposition analysis reveals that, in the short to medium term, about 50% to 80% of the variation in U.S. retail prices is explained by its own past values, underscoring the persistence of retailers’ pricing practices. Meanwhile, U.S. apparel retail sales account for about 27% of the changes in U.S. apparel retail prices. In comparison, apparel tariff changes explained only about 5% of the retail price fluctuations. In other words, market factors, particularly consumer demand, play a more significant role in shaping fashion companies’ pricing decisions than tariffs.

In summary, the study’s findings confirm the interconnections between apparel tariff rates, U.S. apparel import prices, and U.S. retail prices, although these relationships turn out to be more complex and nuanced than previously suggested. It is important to note that only apparel imports from China were subject to tariff increases during the examined period in this study. If tariffs were to increase on apparel products from a broader range of countries during Trump’s second term, the economic impact on U.S. apparel retail prices could be much more significant and persistent.

Imposed Tariffs Could Result in Inflation, Affecting Luxury Goods

By Brielle Jaekel

While Europe is known more so for the manufacturing of luxury goods, the imposed tariffs on imports from China are so harsh they are likely to affect much of the retail industry. According to the United States Fashion Association, it is likely that these tariffs will drive up prices on products for the American consumer.

Click here to read the entire article on Luxury Daily's website.

Industry Groups Ask Trump Administration to Update the Exclusion Process for Products Covered by the Section 301 Tariffs

The United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) joined with more than eighty industry groups to ask United States Trade Representative, Robert Lighthizer, for improvements to the exclusion process available for products that are affected by the penalty tariffs imposed under the 301 action against China. The letter contains proposals for product exclusion request procedures, and detailed recommendations regarding the criteria the Administration will use to evaluate product exclusion requests. Click here to read the full letter.

Inside U.S. Trade: Navarro: Mnuchin comment on China tariffs was ‘an unfortunate soundbite’

By Anshu Siripurapu

At a May 17 event hosted by the Washington International Trade Association, ACC President and CEO Cal Dooley and other panelists urged the U.S. to eschew unilateral tariffs and work with allies to pressure China at the World Trade Organization...

U.S. Fashion Industry Association President Julia Hughes also acknowledged the lengthiness of the WTO process but said it was where the U.S. could have the biggest long-term impact. The conversation should be about “what’s next for the WTO,” she said at the May 17 WITA event.

Click here to read the entire article on the Inside U.S. Trade website.