So you’re trying to start a clothing business, and you’re wondering the best way you can efficiently manage your costs! Many businesses strive to lower their business costs by limiting expenditures or trying to reduce their cost of production. There is one thing that you’ll always have to pay when importing goods, and that is a tariff. But did you know there is a possibility of lowering your rates of duty?
The Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) is a resource that provides classifications and duty rates for virtually every single good that is imported into the U.S. The custom import duties (or tariffs) imposed on goods vary greatly depending on what they are classified as.
Duty rates depend on many factors; some including material, style, and design.
For example, a women’s 100% cotton woven blouse has a rate of duty of 15.4% while a women’s 100% man-made fiber woven blouse comes out to be 26.9%. In this situation, the women’s woven blouse doesn’t necessarily have to be completely made of cotton in order to be considered for the lower duty. Having a mixed material blouse may not only decrease the cost of production, but can also enhance the product’s durability and appearance. A blended fabric can also be classified as “cotton” even if it is mixed! As long as the percentage of cotton is higher than the material it is mixed with, your product will qualify under the classification of cotton with the lower rate of duty.
If you have any questions on how to import your garments or rates of duty for specific classifications, please reach out to info@spiritchbinc.com
Nice article! We will contact you once our shipments are ready.
Thank you for your post!