US textile imports are classified under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, mainly chapters 50 to 63, and the 10-digit code sets the duty rate. Pakistani textiles pay normal trade-relations rates, since US preference programs do not cover most textiles, so cotton terry towels carry about 9.1 percent and cotton apparel often 16 percent or more. Correct classification and origin documentation are essential.
How are textile imports from Pakistan classified for US tariffs?
US textile imports are classified using the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, or HTSUS, which assigns every product a 10-digit code that determines its duty rate. Textiles and clothing sit in Section XI, spanning chapters 50 to 63, and the precise code depends on the fibre, construction, and product type. The importer of record is legally responsible for declaring the correct code to US Customs and Border Protection. Getting it right is a compliance duty, not a formality, and a sourcing partner that documents the product helps the broker classify it accurately.
Classification drives everything downstream: the duty rate, the paperwork, and the eligibility for any program. A cotton knit shirt, a woven cotton trouser, and a terry towel each fall under different codes with different rates, so a vague product description is not enough. The first job for any importer of Pakistani textiles is to pin down the exact HTS code for each item.
What are the main HTS chapters for textiles?
Textile products are spread across chapters 50 to 63, grouped by fibre and by whether the item is yarn, fabric, or a finished good. Cotton goods sit in chapter 52, man-made fibres in chapters 54 and 55, knitted fabric in chapter 60, knitted apparel in chapter 61, woven apparel in chapter 62, and other made-up textiles such as towels and bed linen in chapter 63. Knowing the chapter narrows the search before the full 10-digit code is confirmed.
The table below maps the chapters an importer of Pakistani textiles meets most often. The general flow of importing into the US is covered in our guide to importing fabric to the USA without costly mistakes.
| HTS chapter | Covers | Example products |
| 52 | Cotton (yarn and fabric) | Cotton yarn, woven cotton fabric |
| 54 and 55 | Man-made fibres | Polyester filament and staple fabric |
| 60 | Knitted or crocheted fabric | Knit fabric rolls |
| 61 | Knitted apparel | T-shirts, knit tops |
| 62 | Woven apparel | Woven shirts, trousers |
| 63 | Other made-up textiles | Towels, bed linen, table linen |
What duty rates do Pakistani textiles pay?
Pakistani textiles pay the standard Column 1 General rates of the HTSUS, the normal trade-relations rates that apply to countries without a US free trade agreement. These rates are among the higher ones in the schedule, because textiles and apparel are a protected category. Cotton terry towels under heading 6302.60 carry roughly 9.1 percent, cotton T-shirts around 16.5 percent, and many cotton and man-made woven garments fall in the 16 to 32 percent range, depending on the exact code.
The table below gives representative examples, but rates change and depend on the full 10-digit code, so each must be confirmed in the current schedule. The official US trade guidance on Pakistan is a useful starting point for the trade relationship context.
| Product | HTS heading | Typical general duty |
| Cotton terry towels | 6302.60 | Around 9.1% |
| Cotton T-shirts (knit) | 6109.10 | Around 16.5% |
| Cotton woven trousers | 6203 / 6204 | Around 16.6% |
| Cotton bed linen | 6302.31 | Varies by code |
Does Pakistan get any US tariff preference?
Pakistan does not receive a US tariff preference on textiles, so its goods pay the full normal rate. The United States and Pakistan have no free trade agreement, and the US Generalized System of Preferences has historically excluded most textiles and apparel from duty-free treatment in any case. This is different from the EU, where Pakistan enjoys GSP+ duty-free access, so an exporter’s EU advantage does not carry over to the US market.
One common confusion is worth clearing up: the Section 301 tariffs that add large surcharges apply to goods from China, not Pakistan. Pakistani textiles are not subject to those China-specific duties, which can actually make Pakistan more competitive for US buyers diversifying away from China, even while paying the standard textile rates. The cost picture, including duty, is part of the wider landed-cost view our guide to the hidden costs of importing textiles sets out.
How do you find the correct HTS code?
Find the correct HTS code by working from the product’s fibre, construction, and use through the schedule, then confirming the full 10-digit code in the official tariff. The authoritative source is the US International Trade Commission HTS, which is searchable by keyword and heading. For difficult items, US Customs publishes binding ruling letters that classify specific products, and a licensed customs broker classifies professionally for a fee.
Classification is where importers most often slip, and the cost of an error is real. A wrong code can mean underpaid duty and later penalties, or overpaid duty that quietly erodes margin, plus clearance delays. For a product line you import repeatedly, getting a binding ruling or a broker’s written classification is cheap insurance against both.
What else affects textile import compliance?
Beyond the duty rate, US textile imports must meet origin, labelling, and forced-labour rules. Goods need correct country-of-origin marking, and textiles and apparel require fibre-content and care labelling under US rules. Imports also incur a merchandise processing fee and, for sea shipments, a harbour maintenance fee on top of duty, and most commercial imports need a customs bond.
Forced-labour compliance is now a front-line issue for cotton goods. Under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, US Customs can detain cotton products unless the importer can show the cotton did not originate in the Xinjiang region of China. For Pakistani textiles this means documented cotton traceability back to the source, which a supplier should be able to provide. Avoiding clearance problems is the focus of our guide to avoiding customs delays when shipping fabrics.
How do importers avoid tariff and customs problems?
Importers avoid tariff and customs problems by classifying correctly, documenting origin, and working with professionals. Confirm each product’s HTS code in the official schedule or through a binding ruling, keep clear records of the cotton’s origin for forced-labour compliance, and use a licensed customs broker to file entries. A supplier that provides accurate descriptions, fibre content, and traceability makes all of this far easier. These are standard parts of the checks a vendor selection and compliance service runs before goods ship.
The recurring theme is documentation. Duty rates are fixed by code, but penalties, detentions, and delays come from gaps in paperwork, not from the rate itself. An importer who lines up classification, origin proof, and labelling before the first order rarely meets a surprise at the port.
Sourcing compliant textiles from Pakistan
Vigour Impex has sourced textiles for international buyers since 1992, working from a panel of audited mills and offices in Lahore, Karachi, the UK, and the UAE. For US importers, the team supplies the accurate product descriptions, fibre content, and cotton traceability that underpin correct classification and forced-labour compliance, so entries clear cleanly. Our sourcing and compliance service is built to support the importer of record, not just to ship goods.
Local presence is what makes the documentation reliable. A team that can verify a mill’s cotton source and confirm product specifications closes the gaps that cause US customs detentions, which is why importers diversifying to Pakistan work through an on-the-ground partner rather than sourcing blind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What HTS code do cotton towels from Pakistan use?
Cotton terry towels are classified under heading 6302.60, specifically the made-up toilet and kitchen linen of terry cotton, with a 10-digit code such as 6302.60.0020. The general duty is around 9.1 percent. Always confirm the exact code in the current HTS, since small differences in construction can change the subheading and the rate.
Do Pakistani textiles get duty-free entry to the US?
No. Pakistan has no US free trade agreement, and US preference programs exclude most textiles and apparel, so Pakistani textiles pay the standard normal trade-relations rates. This is unlike the EU, where Pakistan has GSP+ duty-free access. Budget for the full US duty when costing a Pakistani textile import.
Do Section 301 tariffs apply to Pakistani textiles?
No. Section 301 tariffs apply to goods from China, not Pakistan. Pakistani textiles pay the standard HTS rates without that China-specific surcharge, which can make Pakistan attractive for US buyers moving away from Chinese supply. You still pay the normal textile duty, but not the Section 301 add-on.
How do I find the duty rate for a textile product?
Look up the product in the US International Trade Commission HTS, which is searchable by keyword and heading, and read the general rate against the full 10-digit code. For tricky classifications, use a US Customs binding ruling or a licensed customs broker. Rates change, so always check the current schedule rather than an old figure.
What is UFLPA and does it affect Pakistani cotton goods?
The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act lets US Customs detain cotton goods unless the importer proves the cotton is not from the Xinjiang region of China. It applies to cotton products regardless of where they are sewn, so Pakistani cotton textiles need documented traceability of the cotton’s origin to clear without delay.
Final Thoughts
US textile imports from Pakistan are classified under HTS chapters 50 to 63, and the 10-digit code sets a normal trade-relations duty, since Pakistan has no US preference, around 9.1 percent on cotton towels and often 16 percent or more on apparel. Get the classification right, document the cotton’s origin for forced-labour compliance, and use a broker, and the duty becomes a predictable cost rather than a source of penalties or detentions.
If you are importing Pakistani textiles to the US and want suppliers who provide accurate classification data and cotton traceability, tell us your products and the Vigour Impex team will source and document them. Request a sourcing brief or RFQ to import from Pakistan with the paperwork in order.
