How to Import Clothing From China to the USA: Shipping, Duties, Documents & Labeling
Importing clothing from China is not difficult because the cargo is physically hard to move. It becomes difficult when the shipment reaches the United States and someone realizes: The invoice only says “clothing” The fiber content was never confirmed Nobody knows whether the garments are knit or woven The country-of-origin labels are wrong The carton dimensions were estimates The customs broker received the documents after the vessel departed The importer budgeted for freight but not duties and destination charges Most expensive apparel-importing problems begin before the cargo leaves China . The good news is that these problems are usually preventable. Before booking a clothing shipment, make sure you can answer six basic questions: What exactly is each garment? Is it knit or woven? What is the fiber content by percentage? Who is the clothing designed for? Are the required labels already attached correctly? What are the final carton dimensions, weight, and quantity? If you can answer ...