Effective Duty Rate
0% KORUS FTA for qualifying apparel
Estimate — verify by HTS code
Compliance Risk
Low
Relative to other import corridors
Regulatory Agencies
CBP, FTC, CPSC
Primary oversight bodies
OVERVIEW
Importing Apparel, Garments & Clothing from South Korea
Importing apparel from South Korea into the United States carries low compliance risk, with an effective duty rate of 0% KORUS FTA for qualifying apparel. A Section 232 Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) arrangement applies: steel and aluminum products within quota limits may enter at reduced or zero Section 232 duty, while above-quota imports face the full 25% surcharge.
Apparel imported from South Korea to the United States is subject to CBP entry requirements, applicable HTS-based duty rates, and agency compliance clearances. This guide covers the complete import process for 2026.
⚠ Key Trade Intelligence — South Korea Origin
KORUS FTA provides zero-duty access — a massive advantage in a sector with 15%–32% MFN rates. Growing K-fashion exports to the US.
SAMPLE LANDED COST — $50,000 SHIPMENT
Estimated Landed Cost: Apparel from South Korea
Based on a representative $50,000 CIF shipment value. Actual costs vary by HTS code, entry type, and port of entry.
| Cost Component |
Amount |
Notes |
| Cargo Value (CIF) |
$50,000.00 |
Reference shipment value |
| MFN Base Duty (0.0%) |
$0.00 |
KORUS preferential / ITA zero-rate |
| Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464%) |
$173.20 |
Min $31.67 / max $614.35 |
| Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125%) |
$62.50 |
Ocean freight only |
| Total Duties & Fees |
$235.70 |
Effective rate: 0.5% |
| Estimated Landed Cost |
$50,235.70 |
Cargo + all US duties/fees |
⚠ Section 232 tariffs (25% steel / 10% aluminum) may apply to apparel sub-categories with significant steel or aluminum content. Not included above — verify by specific HTS code.
✓ KORUS preferential rates reduce base duty to 0% for qualifying goods. MPF and HMF still apply on all entries.
Excludes freight, insurance, broker fees, warehousing, and AD/CVD duties. Use the Duty Calculator for a precise estimate on your specific shipment.
APPLICABLE HTS CODES
HTS Codes for Apparel Imports
The following Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes typically apply to apparel imports. Exact classification depends on the specific product — misclassification is one of the most common CBP compliance errors.
| HTS Code |
Product Description |
MFN Base Duty Rate |
| 6109 |
T-Shirts, Singlets & Tank Tops (knitted) |
16.5%–32% MFN |
| 6203 |
Men's/Boys' Suits, Trousers & Shorts (woven) |
8%–27.5% MFN |
| 6204 |
Women's/Girls' Suits, Dresses & Skirts (woven) |
6.9%–27.5% MFN |
| 6110 |
Sweaters, Pullovers & Cardigans (knitted) |
5%–32% MFN |
| 6205–6206 |
Men's/Women's Shirts & Blouses (woven) |
8.4%–27.5% MFN |
MFN rates reflect base tariff. Additional duties (Section 301, Section 232, AD/CVD) may apply on top of MFN rates. Use the AI classifier to get the exact 10-digit HTS code and all applicable rates for your specific product.
DUTY STACK — SOUTH KOREA ORIGIN
Total Tariff Cost for South Korea-Origin Apparel
| Duty Layer |
Rate / Status |
Applies To |
| MFN Base Rate |
Varies by HTS code |
All South Korea-origin goods (baseline) |
| KORUS Preferential Rate |
Reduced / 0% (qualifying goods) |
Goods meeting KORUS rules of origin |
| Section 301 |
Not applicable |
South Korea-origin goods are not subject to Section 301 |
| Section 232 TRQ |
0% within quota; 25%/10% above |
Steel/aluminum within agreed quota volumes |
COMPLIANCE — CBP / FTC / CPSC
US Compliance Requirements for Apparel Imports
Regardless of origin country, apparel imports must satisfy the following US regulatory requirements before or at the time of CBP entry filing:
- FTC Textile Fiber Products Identification Act — fiber content label required on all garments (16 CFR Part 303); must list fiber names and percentages in descending order
- FTC Care Labeling Rule (16 CFR Part 423) — permanent care instruction labels required on all garments
- CPSC flammability standards: 16 CFR Part 1610 for general apparel; stricter Parts 1615/1616 for children's sleepwear
- Country of origin label required per 19 CFR Part 134 — must be sewn into each garment; removable hang tags alone do not satisfy CBP requirements
Compliance Check Tool
Run an automated compliance check for your apparel import — identifies all applicable agency requirements, flagging issues before your shipment departs South Korea.
Run Compliance Check →
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Documentation Checklist for Apparel from South Korea
Prepare all documents before the shipment departs South Korea. Missing or incorrect documents are the #1 cause of CBP holds and customs delays.
1
Commercial Invoice with fiber content, garment description, and construction (knit vs. woven)
2
Packing List with sizes, styles, and quantities per SKU
4
Country of Origin Certificate
5
Textile visa / export license (where applicable)
6
CPSC Children's Product Certificate with flammability test reports (children's apparel)
ESTIMATED TIMELINE
Import Timeline — Apparel from South Korea
25–40 days (ocean from Asia); 5–12 days (truck from Mexico/Central America)
Supplier Preparation
Allow 1–2 weeks for production documentation, certificates, and packing lists
Transit Time
18–35 days ocean from Asia/origin
CBP Clearance
1–3 days standard; 5–15 days if examination or AD/CVD review required
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQs — Importing Apparel from South Korea
What is the effective US tariff rate for importing apparel from South Korea?
The effective US tariff rate for apparel from South Korea is: 0% KORUS FTA for qualifying apparel. KORUS FTA provides zero-duty access — a massive advantage in a sector with 15%–32% MFN rates. Growing K-fashion exports to the US.
What compliance agencies regulate apparel imports from South Korea?
Apparel imports require compliance with: CBP, FTC, CPSC. Specific requirements include: FTC Textile Fiber Products Identification Act — fiber content label required on all garments (16 CFR Part 303); must list fiber names and percentages in descending order and FTC Care Labeling Rule (16 CFR Part 423) — permanent care instruction labels required on all garments.
What documents are required to import apparel from South Korea?
Required documents include: Commercial Invoice with fiber content, garment description, and construction (knit vs. woven); Packing List with sizes, styles, and quantities per SKU; Bill of Lading; Country of Origin Certificate. Additional: Textile visa / export license (where applicable); CPSC Children's Product Certificate with flammability test reports (children's apparel). Ensure all documents are prepared before the shipment departs South Korea.
How long does customs clearance take for apparel from South Korea?
Typical timeline: 25–40 days (ocean from Asia); 5–12 days (truck from Mexico/Central America). CBP clearance typically takes 1–3 business days for compliant entries. Complex entries (AD/CVD, formal entry review, or examination) may require 5–15 additional business days.
Are there Section 301 or Section 232 tariffs on apparel from South Korea?
No Section 301 tariffs apply to South Korea-origin goods. Section 232 applies with a TRQ arrangement — steel within quota enters at reduced/zero Section 232; above quota faces 25%.
What are the US MFN tariff rates for apparel imports and which countries face Section 301?
Apparel faces some of the highest US MFN tariff rates in the tariff schedule. Representative rates: men's cotton shirts (HTS 6205.20) 19.7%; women's wool suits (6104.31) 12%–15%; children's knit cotton tops (6111.20) 14.9%; swimwear (6211) 24.9%–28%; down-filled jackets (6201.93) 16.9%. Only China faces Section 301 for apparel (25% additional), creating a combined effective duty often exceeding 40%–45% for Chinese-origin apparel. Vietnam (no Section 301) and Bangladesh (no FTA but competitive MFN costs) have emerged as leading alternatives.
What FTC labeling and CPSC requirements must imported apparel meet?
Apparel imports require four mandatory labels: (1) FTC Textile Fiber Products Identification Act — generic fiber names by weight percentage (e.g., "100% Cotton"), (2) FTC Care Labeling Rule — washing/dry cleaning instructions using standardized symbols or words, (3) CBP country of origin label — country where cutting and sewing occurred, (4) RN or WPL number identifying the importer/manufacturer. Children's sleepwear (sizes 0–14 years) must meet CPSC flammability standards (16 CFR Parts 1615–1616) — non-flame-resistant children's sleepwear cannot be imported without snug-fit exemption documentation.
How do USMCA rules of origin work for apparel to qualify for duty-free access from Mexico?
USMCA's yarn-forward rule requires: (1) yarn must be spun in a USMCA country (US, Mexico, or Canada), (2) fabric woven or knit from that yarn in a USMCA country, (3) garments cut and sewn in a USMCA country. Apparel assembled in Mexico from Asian fabric or yarn generally does not qualify for USMCA preference and reverts to MFN apparel rates (up to 32%). Tariff Preference Levels (TPLs) under Annex 3-B allow limited quantities of non-yarn-forward apparel to enter at preferential rates — consult USTR's TPL utilization data to assess quota availability.
What does the KORUS FTA cover and how do I claim preferential treatment?
The US-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS, effective 2012) has phased out duties on the vast majority of US-Korea trade — most goods now enter at 0%. To claim KORUS preference, have a valid origin certification from the Korean exporter (self-certification is permitted under KORUS). Goods must meet KORUS rules of origin requiring sufficient production in the US or Korea, with country-specific RVC or tariff shift rules by HTS code.
Are Korean electronics (Samsung, LG, SK Hynix) subject to any additional US tariffs?
No. South Korea is not subject to Section 301 tariffs. Section 232 TRQ applies to Korean steel and aluminum, not electronics. Korean electronics benefit from both KORUS FTA (0%) and the ITA (0% WTO multilateral rate), providing dual zero-rating. Major Korean brands have extensive US operations that further simplify compliance for distributors and importers.
How strictly does CBP enforce KORUS rules of origin for auto parts?
CBP has significantly increased KORUS auto parts origin verification, particularly for vehicles and major components. Importers should obtain detailed origin certifications from Korean suppliers including net cost calculations and production records. Korean auto parts manufacturers supplying global OEMs typically maintain robust KORUS documentation — request it proactively rather than waiting for a CBP CF-28 inquiry.
TRADE INTELLIGENCE TOOLS
Free Tools for Apparel Importers
Run these tools before your next shipment from South Korea — all free, no account required.
Ready to Calculate Your Exact Import Costs?
Get precise duty calculations, landed cost estimates, and compliance flags for your apparel shipment from South Korea.
RELATED IMPORT GUIDES
Also Importing Apparel From Other Countries?
Compare duty rates, compliance requirements, and landed costs across origin countries.
Other Products from South Korea?
Explore duty rates and compliance guides for other product categories imported from South Korea.
Most-Searched Import Corridors
High-traffic import corridors with full tariff analysis and compliance guides.
Import duty rates are sourced from the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule and USTR Section 301 lists. Rates reflect current published schedules as of 2026-05-16 and are subject to change. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or customs brokerage advice. Verify rates with a licensed customs broker before importing.