A factory's FOB quote covers the product. It does not cover what your destination country's customs authority charges to let it in — and that gap is where a lot of first-time importers get an unpleasant surprise on landed cost. The rules differ meaningfully by destination, and within a destination, by the exact product classification — so treat everything here as the framework to check against your specific product and HS code, not a number to plug straight into a spreadsheet.
It starts with the HS code, not the country
Every product entering customs is classified under a Harmonized System (HS) code — an internationally standardised product category — and the duty rate attaches to that code, not to "clothing" as a general category. A basic cotton T-shirt and a technical outerwear jacket can carry meaningfully different duty rates despite both being "apparel." Ask your factory or freight forwarder to confirm the exact HS code for your product before estimating landed cost — this single number determines more of your final cost than almost anything else in the shipping process.
United States
Standard US import duties on apparel (the Most-Favored-Nation base rate, separate from any country-specific reciprocal tariff) commonly range from roughly 16% to 32% depending on the exact HS classification — for example, basic cotton knit T-shirts have historically sat around 16.5% under their specific HTS heading, plus a small Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF). On top of this, bilateral reciprocal tariffs negotiated with specific countries can apply as a separate layer — Bangladesh's own reciprocal rate has shifted materially through 2025–26 negotiations, and the legal basis for these reciprocal tariffs was itself disrupted by a mid-2026 US Supreme Court ruling. Whether the base HTS duty and a reciprocal tariff stack, or how they interact for your specific product, is exactly the kind of detail a licensed customs broker confirms before you commit to pricing — don't estimate this yourself from a general guide.
- You (or your business) must be the correct Importer of Record, which requires an EIN and typically a customs bond.
- The FTC requires fibre content, country of origin and manufacturer identity on the label; the CPSC enforces safety standards including flammability.
- Standard documentation: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and certificate of origin.
European Union
The EU's TARIC database is the authoritative source for current duty rates, HS codes and any anti-dumping duties by product and origin — check it directly for your specific classification rather than relying on a general apparel rate. Bangladesh's Least Developed Country status currently grants Everything But Arms (EBA) access — duty-free entry to the EU for qualifying goods, a materially different position from countries paying standard MFN rates. EU buyers will also expect REACH and OEKO-TEX documentation as standard practice, separate from customs duty itself.
United Kingdom
Post-Brexit, the UK operates its own tariff schedule and labelling requirements independent of the EU's — fibre content, care instructions, importer details, VAT and product safety all apply under UK-specific rules, so don't assume EU documentation automatically satisfies UK customs.
Preferential access isn't universal
Duty treatment for the same Bangladesh-made garment varies significantly by destination market: Canada's LDCT/GPT preferential access can bring qualifying Bangladesh apparel in duty-free, while a US buyer faces the standard tariff structure above. This is exactly why sourcing decisions should factor in destination-market duty treatment, not just factory cost — the same product can have a meaningfully different landed cost depending purely on where it's shipped.
| Destination | General posture | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|
| United States | MFN base duty (~16–32% by HS code) + any applicable reciprocal tariff | Importer of Record with EIN + customs bond; FTC/CPSC labelling |
| European Union | Duty-free for Bangladesh under EBA (LDC status) | Check TARIC for the specific HS code; REACH/OEKO-TEX documentation expected |
| United Kingdom | Independent UK tariff schedule, post-Brexit | UK-specific labelling and VAT rules, separate from EU |
| Canada | Duty-free under LDCT/GPT for qualifying goods | Confirm product qualifies under the preferential scheme |
“The factory quote and the landed cost are two different numbers. Get a customs broker or freight forwarder to confirm the second one for your specific product before you commit to pricing your first collection.”
Frequently asked questions
- Do I pay customs duty on clothing from Bangladesh if I'm in the EU?
- Generally no — Bangladesh currently qualifies for duty-free access to the EU under Everything But Arms (EBA), tied to its Least Developed Country status. Always verify the current classification for your specific product on the EU's TARIC database.
- What documents do I need to import clothing into the US?
- Typically a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin, plus being registered as the correct Importer of Record with an EIN and customs bond.
- Why does my product's HS code matter more than the country of origin for duty rates?
- Duty rates attach to the specific HS classification of the product, not to "clothing" generally — two apparel products can carry meaningfully different duty rates under different HS headings, so confirming the exact code for your product is the single most important step in estimating landed cost.
Sources
We ship FOB, CIF or worldwide DDP — tell us your destination market and we'll help you think through landed cost before you commit to a quantity.
Free tools for clothing brands
MOQ, pricing and AQL calculators, a GSM ⇄ oz converter, a fillable tech pack template and a manufacturing glossary — built by our sister company, Collective Studio, free to use.