How does fiber content affect duty rates?

Fiber composition by weight is the primary classification driver. A shirt that is 51% cotton pays cotton rates (Ch. 52/61/62); at 49% cotton with 51% polyester, it pays man-made fiber rates — which can be significantly higher. Camtom analyzes fiber declarations precisely.

What is the yarn-forward rule?

Under USMCA, most textiles must meet the yarn-forward rule: the yarn spinning, fabric formation, cutting, and sewing must all occur in North America to qualify for 0% duty. Exceptions exist for fibers in short supply. Camtom tracks these exceptions.

Can I get duty preference on garments from Africa?

Yes. AGOA provides duty-free access for qualifying apparel from eligible sub-Saharan African countries, including a third-country fabric provision. Camtom identifies AGOA eligibility based on country and product.

How are multi-material garments classified?

GRI 3(b) applies — the material that gives the garment its essential character determines classification. A textile jacket with small leather patches remains a textile article. Camtom evaluates material proportions to classify correctly.

What penalties exist for textile misclassification?

CBP actively audits textile entries. Penalties include duty assessments at the correct rate (which can double the duty), civil penalties of up to 4x the lost revenue, and potential seizure for intentional fraud. Camtom reduces this risk.

How does fiber content affect duty rates?

Fiber composition by weight is the primary classification driver. A shirt that is 51% cotton pays cotton rates (Ch. 52/61/62); at 49% cotton with 51% polyester, it pays man-made fiber rates — which can be significantly higher. Camtom analyzes fiber declarations precisely.

What is the yarn-forward rule?

Under USMCA, most textiles must meet the yarn-forward rule: the yarn spinning, fabric formation, cutting, and sewing must all occur in North America to qualify for 0% duty. Exceptions exist for fibers in short supply. Camtom tracks these exceptions.

Can I get duty preference on garments from Africa?

Yes. AGOA provides duty-free access for qualifying apparel from eligible sub-Saharan African countries, including a third-country fabric provision. Camtom identifies AGOA eligibility based on country and product.

How are multi-material garments classified?

GRI 3(b) applies — the material that gives the garment its essential character determines classification. A textile jacket with small leather patches remains a textile article. Camtom evaluates material proportions to classify correctly.

What penalties exist for textile misclassification?

CBP actively audits textile entries. Penalties include duty assessments at the correct rate (which can double the duty), civil penalties of up to 4x the lost revenue, and potential seizure for intentional fraud. Camtom reduces this risk.

HTS Classification by industry

HTS Classification for Textiles & Apparel

Textile and apparel classification is notoriously complex — duties range from 0% on raw cotton to 32% on certain synthetic garments, and the classification depends on fiber content, construction method, weight per square meter, and garment design. Chapters 50-63 contain thousands of subheadings with specific unit requirements. Add USMCA yarn-forward rules and the African Growth and Opportunity Act, and you have one of the most intricate areas in trade compliance. Camtom untangles it.

Classification challenges in your industry

Determining fiber composition percentages by weight — a garment that is 51% cotton vs. 49% cotton classifies under entirely different HTS codes

Applying the "yarn-forward" rule of origin under USMCA, which requires yarn spinning, fabric formation, and garment assembly all in North America

Classifying garments that incorporate multiple materials (e.g., leather trim on a textile jacket) under the correct heading

Navigating the complex grid of rates by fiber type, knit vs. woven, and garment category (e.g., men's woven shirts of cotton, Ch. 6205)

Complying with the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act that reclassified many textile products

Common classification mistakes

Classifying a garment by visual appearance rather than by fiber content by weight — a polyester shirt that looks like silk classifies under man-made fibers, not silk

Using a broad 4-digit heading instead of drilling down to the 10-digit statistical suffix, which determines the exact duty rate

Claiming USMCA preference for garments assembled in Mexico from Chinese fabric — the yarn-forward rule disqualifies this

Misidentifying knit vs. woven construction — knit garments (Ch. 61) and woven garments (Ch. 62) have completely different duty structures

Declaring the wrong unit of measure (dozens vs. kilograms) for textile quota categories

Key HTS chapters

Chapter 52 — Cotton textiles

Chapter 54 — Man-made filaments

Chapter 55 — Man-made staple fibers

Chapter 61 — Knitted apparel

Chapter 62 — Woven apparel

Chapter 63 — Made-up textile articles

Duty rate range

Textile duties are among the highest in the US tariff schedule. Cotton garments face 7-20%; synthetic garments can reach 28-32%. Raw fibers and yarns are generally lower (0-10%). USMCA-qualifying textiles enter at 0% if yarn-forward rules are met.

Rules of origin

USMCA requires the "yarn-forward" rule for most textiles: yarn must be spun, fabric formed, and garments cut and sewn in North America. Some exceptions exist for short supply fibers (listed in the USMCA textile annex). AGOA provides duty-free access for qualifying African-origin apparel. A valid certificate of origin is mandatory.

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