Import Duty on Clothes from India to USA Tariff Rates & Compliance

The United States import duty structure for clothes from India is primarily governed by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classifications. Most apparel items are subject to ad valorem rates that vary based on fiber content, garment construction, and the intended gender of the wearer. While India does not currently face Section 301 trade penalties, standard duties and administrative fees like the MPF and HMF remain mandatory for compliant entry into the U.S. market.

• Ad Valorem: A percentage-based tax calculated on the transaction value of the clothing. It is the most frequent duty type encountered by importers of Indian textiles.
• Specific: A fixed dollar amount charged per unit or weight of the garment. This applies to specific HTS codes regardless of the item's financial value.
• Compound: A combination of both ad valorem and specific rates applied to a single item. This is common for certain wool or complex synthetic garments.
• Section 301: Additional duties targeting specific countries to address unfair trade practices. These currently do not apply to apparel imports originating from India.
• Antidumping: Remedial duties imposed on goods sold at less than fair market value. These are rarely triggered for standard Indian clothing exports but can exist for specific sub-categories.
• Excise: Federal taxes usually reserved for luxury or restricted goods like alcohol. Clothing is generally exempt from these types of taxes.
• MPF: The Merchandise Processing Fee covers administrative costs for formal entries. It is calculated as a percentage of the shipment value with set minimum and maximum dollar caps.
• HMF: The Harbor Maintenance Fee applies only to shipments arriving via sea ports. It is calculated as a small percentage of the cargo value to support port infrastructure.