How much is paid in customs for importing clothing into the US?

[AlexCph]

Hey all,

Thinking about importing clothing and selling on FBA. What kind of customs would I be paying? Is this a feasible idea?

Thanks.

Edit: After making this post. I drank my morning coffee and had the brilliant idea of googling this myself and found it to be 16.9%. Does anyone know if this is correct? Or will it wary from state to state? If so, what kind of range am I looking at?

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Nikson]

Gonna follow this thread, as this was one of ideas I head...

I've got a family member in Poland with a women's clothing line, thought about bringing their stuff into US market.

Research has been done, its either invest your own $$$ into a showroom to bring in the buyers from stores, or just start slowly distributing the product into smaller boutique stores... or open up your own chain of stores...

In any case, customs will be part of the deal...

 

[AgainstAllOdds]

https://hts.usitc.gov

That's the official "search engine" for tariffs on U.S. products. It doesn't include anti-dumping tariffs (which are rare but change your return drastically).

Go there. Type in your product. Dig through the results. Find your duty rate.

When estimating returns a good rule of thumb is to assume the duty is around 6% (the average for any product). But always check the rate before getting serious.

Also ask your freight forwarder or supplier on the HTS code/duty if you're doing a larger purchase.

Good luck.

 

[AlexCph]

https://hts.usitc.gov

That's the official "search engine" for tariffs on U.S. products. It doesn't include anti-dumping tariffs (which are rare but change your return drastically).

Go there. Type in your product. Dig through the results. Find your duty rate.

When estimating returns a good rule of thumb is to assume the duty is around 6% (the average for any product). But always check the rate before getting serious.

Also ask your freight forwarder or supplier on the HTS code/duty if you're doing a larger purchase.

Good luck.

Thanks so much sir. Repped!

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[458]

Any particular reason you want to import textiles? This industry is notorious for having low margins and running people straight out of business.

 

[AlexCph]

Any particular reason you want to import textiles? This industry is notorious for having low margins and running people straight out of business.

Thanks for asking. I have had small doubts about this. But I like the fact that it can be light weight so shipping will be cheaper. I guess portability is against me but at least I can learn along the way.

I'm just a bit terrified of being one of those ppl who plan and research for way too long. I feel like just doing it is better than research research research!

So gonna go along with this for now and if it doesn't work out I won't be out of much money and would have learned invaluable information. Probably better in the wrong run.

Am I making sense? Lol. Having a bottle of wine at a restaurant.

 

[Scot]

Thanks for asking. I have had small doubts about this. But I like the fact that it can be light weight so shipping will be cheaper. I guess portability is against me but at least I can learn along the way.

I'm just a bit terrified of being one of those ppl who plan and research for way too long. I feel like just doing it is better than research research research!

So gonna go along with this for now and if it doesn't work out I won't be out of much money and would have learned invaluable information. Probably better in the wrong run.

Am I making sense? Lol. Having a bottle of wine at a restaurant.

Piggy backing on @458 you didn't really explain why t-shirts.

Think about MJ's CENTS formula. Is there a need for your T-Shirts? Are you part of a niche hobby that has no representation when it comes to t-shirts? "Man I love playing frisbee golf, I wish I had some cool shirts with frisbee son them!"

We see this weekly on the forum, people come here to ask about how to sell T-shirts. Maybe it's the perceived ease of selling them. Maybe it's because we're constantly assaulted with T-Shirt ads on FB.

But unless you have true VALUE or you have the desire to be a fashion designer, why T-Shirts?

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[458]

Thanks for asking. I have had small doubts about this. But I like the fact that it can be light weight so shipping will be cheaper. I guess portability is against me but at least I can learn along the way.

I'm just a bit terrified of being one of those ppl who plan and research for way too long. I feel like just doing it is better than research research research!

So gonna go along with this for now and if it doesn't work out I won't be out of much money and would have learned invaluable information. Probably better in the wrong run.

Am I making sense? Lol. Having a bottle of wine at a restaurant.

I don't work on easy projects or in easy industries. I want to compete with 2-3 players, not 50,000. Business is about probabilities and your probability of making zero money selling T shirts is very high.

 

[AlexCph]

I agree probability for me not making money is high. However Im also residing in Thailand where I can speak the language and communicate with manufacturers easily. So I think in my case the probability becomes slightly less higher.

I really appreciate the feedback guys and today will start thinking about ways to make our product different and unique somehow. Im thinking about starting a Progress thread in the INSIDERS so I can share more openly and would obviously love feedback like this.

 

[Almantas]

I agree probability for me not making money is high. However Im also residing in Thailand where I can speak the language and communicate with manufacturers easily. So I think in my case the probability becomes slightly less higher.

I really appreciate the feedback guys and today will start thinking about ways to make our product different and unique somehow. Im thinking about starting a Progress thread in the INSIDERS so I can share more openly and would obviously love feedback like this.

Unless you make some REALLY attractive twist to your t-shirt idea, I think it's a lost cause. The idea itself is fine it's just that the market is too saturated and the noise is too high already, nobody's going to hear your squeaking in the market place. However...if you come-up with something more unique, such as for instance t-shirts made from a recycled material, t-shirts made from real flowers or some mad idea like that and fuel it up with some effective marketing it might actually catch the fire on the marketplace. Remember, if everybody's playing a guitar in the marketplace, use a damn violin!

Just my personal thoughts, I am far from specialist in this niche and don't know if my suggested examples already exist! Good luck!

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[AlexCph]

tbh its not T-shirts. Its lingerie. Not sure if that changes your view on it

Edit: its probably harder to get into, but Im not informed enough to know if it is or not.

 

[458]

Alex, there is a word for someone that seeks counsel to validate there misplaced beliefs, its called an idiot. Don't be that guy. We have all agreed on the same thing, don't do it; but you refuse to acknowledge the obvious, your wasting your time and money with this venture. Only an idiot would continue down that path.

 

[Brian C.]

If you live in Thailand, speak both English and the native tongue well, and have an interest in importing/exporting textiles, you might find solace serving as an agent.

No inventory to deal with, little to no capital outlay...

Just a nice commission. 10% maybe?

Many US companies import textiles from Thailand. It's no secret.

As an agent, you might be profitable because you can serve both sides. You can provide VALUE for the parties involved.

If you import clothing, lingerie, etc. - you are just participating in the trade of a commodity. What's the differentiation? Maybe style? You NEED a USP.

EDIT: Maybe you do have a USP. If so, do not hesitate to take action.

You can learn the import/export process on a product that has a MUCH better chance of success without the intricacies of Amazon regulations and high tariffs.

Just some food for thought.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Envision]

Just some things to consider -

- I believe textile imports are around 17% for the US.

-If you live in Thailand you should try and get into physical products over clothing - the margins just dont fit right to sell on FBA with clothing until you have scale.

- clothing is gated on FBA and I believe they require certain documents for clothing (its been awhile since I did it) so if you proceed make sure you factor the approval into your lead time.

 

[exclusives88]

Maybe it's just me but I don't think there is anything wrong with clothing as long as you are approaching it with a different angle. Think about how you can differentiate yourself with the other lingerie companies. Maybe it is to have custom tailored lingerie where you can choose different straps/colors or if its for a specific niche, or its for transgender or same sex couples...etc you get the point.

I'm going to be importing my first batch of clothing. It's a part of my niche and without it, I don't think I will be able to grow. We'll see how it goes...

 

[Umii]

following thread!!

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[AlexCph]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I'll take everything into consideration before proceeding.