Exporting clothing to the U.S.: a guide | Octagona Srl
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Exporting clothing to the United States: the complete guide

Exporting clothing to the United States: the complete guide

Americans love beautiful things from Italy, and in particular fashion and textile products, as they are able to incorporate and transmit what they seek most from the Bel Paese: culture. However, Italy's positioning in the States is still below potential and, therefore, growth in the 50 U.S. federated states represents a great opportunity for homegrown businesses of the beautiful and well-made.

In fact, the United States is the largest consumer market in the world with a GDP of more than $ 21 trillion and 333 million people. Household spending is the highest in the world, accounting for more than a quarter of global household consumption. In addition, the U.S. market ranks first in the world in relation to households with annual disposable income of at least $300,000, making it the main market for luxury and mid- to high-end goods.

 

Exporting Italian clothing to the US: the record-breaking numbers

 

Italian products have already captured a larger share of U.S. imports between 2013 and 2022 in most of the sectors that have made Made in Italy famous, particularly food, clothing and home textiles, footwear and eyewear. Italian apparel exports to the United States have continued to show A growing trend over the past two decades, testifying to the notoriety and recognized quality of products derived from Italian manufacturing.

Analyzing the statistics, it can be seen that suits, both men's and women's, are particularly popular in the United States, with Export values exceeding $700 million. In the women's clothing sector, Italy ranked among the leading exporters to the U.S.

 

Exports of garments and accessories from Italy to the United States (2018 - 2022)

U.S. apparel exports

 

Footwear exports from Italy to the United States (2018 - 2022)

 

Exports of hats and headgear from Italy to the United States (2018 - 2022)

 

Required documentation

 

In order to successfully export clothing items to the United States, it is necessary to Be aware of the specific documentation required and regulations governing this type of trade. First of all, in addition to the standard documentation required for U.S. customs, which certifies the characteristics of imported products, it is important to have additional documents for each product. If a product is not completely manufactured in Italy and falls under the Multi-Fiber Arrangements, it is necessary to have documentation for the export of this specific category of products.

In addition, whenever a textile product is imported into the United States, it is mandatory to declare the country of origin. This declaration can be made by the manufacturer, producer, exporter or importer. In cases where more than one party is involved in the import, each party must produce a separate declaration, giving the name and address of their company. It is important to note that the “country of origin” does not indicate the last country in which the product transited, but the country where the main stages of assembly were carried out.

 

Customs duties

 

Speaking of import fees, it is obvious that duties will need to be paid for imports into the United States. Import duties vary widely depending on the quality and composition of clothing items. There are also a number of rules and restrictions that must be complied with to avoid seizure of products at customs or fines. The main restrictions relate to the flammability of items, which must conform to standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on the basis of the Flammable Fabrics Act (FFA).

 

Conclusions on apparel exports to the United States

 

The U.S. market is large and open, and the typical U.S. consumer is receptive to both domestic and imported brands. If you are interested in exporting your apparel products to the U.S. and would like to request more information on how to do so, contact us; we will study the best solution with you.

 

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