Tariff Rates
Tariff on Clothing & Apparel: Why Your Wardrobe Costs 20% More
U.S. tariffs on imported clothing add 17-33% to the retail price. The average American household pays an estimated $400-800 per year in hidden tariff costs on clothing and apparel. These duties are eligible for refund through the CBP CAPE program.
17-33%
tariff rate range
$400-800/year
avg. household impact
$120 billion
total U.S. imports
How Much Do Tariffs Add to Clothing & Apparel Prices?
Here's what tariffs actually cost you on common clothing & apparel purchases.
| Product | Tariff Rate | Price Impact |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirts & Tops | 17-32% | $5-15 per item |
| Jeans & Pants | 16-28% | $8-20 per pair |
| Jackets & Coats | 20-28% | $20-60 per jacket |
| Dresses | 16-25% | $10-30 per dress |
The bigger picture: According to the Yale Budget Lab, U.S. tariffs cost the average American household $3,800 per year across all product categories. Clothing & Apparel accounts for an estimated $400-800/year of that total.
Which Clothing & Apparel Products Are Most Affected?
T-shirts & Tops
Medium impact17-32%
tariff rate
This adds $5-15 per item to the price you pay.
Jeans & Pants
Medium impact16-28%
tariff rate
This adds $8-20 per pair to the price you pay.
Jackets & Coats
High impact20-28%
tariff rate
This adds $20-60 per jacket to the price you pay.
Dresses
Medium impact16-25%
tariff rate
This adds $10-30 per dress to the price you pay.
Where Does Clothing & Apparel Come From?
Tariff rates vary by country of origin. Here are the top countries exporting clothing & apparel to the United States.
China faces the highest tariff rates (up to 145% on some goods) due to Section 301 and IEEPA tariffs. Other countries face varying rates under IEEPA “reciprocal” tariffs.
Can You Get This Money Back?
For Importers
CAPE Tariff Refund Recovery
If you import clothing & apparel, your entries may qualify for refund through the CBP CAPE program. Tariffi prepares your declaration data; your licensed customs broker partner files it.
Start your claimFor Consumers
B2B2C Refund Distribution
Individual consumers can't file CAPE declarations directly, but Tariffi's distribution program connects you with importers recovering refunds — so a portion of those savings can flow back to you.
Calculate your impactFrequently Asked Questions
- Why is clothing from China more expensive?
- Clothing from China faces combined tariffs of up to 33% under Section 301 and pre-existing MFN duties. A $50 shirt that costs $15 to produce in China has roughly $5-10 in tariff costs baked into its retail price.
- Do tariffs affect all clothing brands?
- Yes. Even premium brands manufacture in tariff-affected countries. Over 97% of clothing sold in the U.S. is imported, so virtually every piece of clothing you buy includes tariff costs in its price.
- Are children's clothes also tariffed?
- Yes. Children's clothing faces the same tariff rates as adult clothing, with rates ranging from 16-32% depending on material and country of origin. This adds $3-10 per item to children's clothing prices.
Related resources
- All tariff rates by product & country — browse tariff impacts across all categories
- Tariff recovery by industry — refund pools for 30+ import sectors
- IEEPA & Section 301 refund guides — step-by-step recovery guides
- Tariff impact calculator — estimate your overpayment and potential refund
Calculate your tariff impact on clothing & apparel
See exactly how much tariffs add to the clothing & apparel you import or buy — and how much you could recover.
Calculate Your Tariff ImpactQuestions? support@tariffi.io