US apparel tariffs in 2026: what they add to a custom uniform order, and how to protect your price
As of August 2026, custom apparel imported into the US (HTS Chapters 61 and 62) carries a base MFN duty averaging about 16.5%, plus whatever trade-policy surcharge is in force for the country of origin. Tariff policy changed again on July 24, 2026, so the duty on your order is a moving number. The way to protect your price is to understand how landed cost is built, then lock the parts you can control.
This is written for US buyers sourcing custom uniforms, teamwear, and jackets from overseas, not for trade lawyers. It explains where the duty sits in your total cost, what actually changed in 2026, and the practical steps that keep a tariff swing from wrecking your budget. Rates move month to month, so treat every figure here as a checkpoint to verify before you ship, not a promise.
How is duty on custom apparel actually calculated?
Duty is charged on the customs value of the goods, usually the FOB price, not on your final retail price. It is one line in a bigger landed-cost bill. Here is the full stack for a typical apparel import.
| Cost line | What it is | Roughly how big |
|---|---|---|
| FOB goods value | Factory price of the apparel | Your quote |
| Base duty (MFN) | Standard rate for Chapters 61 and 62 | Averages about 16.5% |
| Trade-policy surcharge | Section 301 or similar, depends on origin | 0% to double digits |
| MPF and HMF | Merchandise and harbor processing fees | Small percentage |
| Freight and insurance | Sea or air to your door | Varies widely |
| Customs broker | Entry filing | Flat fee |
The takeaway: duty is charged on the factory value, so a lower FOB price and an efficient order lowers the duty in absolute dollars too. Ordering at the right volume matters here. Our explainer on how MOQ, pricing, and lead times work shows how order size drives the FOB number that duty is calculated from.
What changed in US apparel tariffs in 2026?
2026 has been an unusually active year for apparel trade policy. The sequence matters because it explains why quotes you saw six months ago may not hold today.
- In February 2026 the Supreme Court struck down the 2025 reciprocal tariffs, and a uniform 10% Section 122 surcharge replaced the wide country-specific rates.
- That 10% Section 122 surcharge hit its 150-day limit and expired on July 24, 2026.
- The same day it was replaced by a Section 301 measure of 10% or 12.5%, depending on the trading partner, applied across dozens of countries.
- Through all of it, the base MFN rate for Chapters 61 and 62 stayed near 16.5% on top of any surcharge.
The pattern to notice is not the exact number. It is the volatility. A surcharge can arrive, expire, or be replaced on a single date. That is the risk you are managing, and it is why the country your factory sits in, and the HTS code your product falls under, decide your real rate.
Does the country of origin change my rate?
Yes, and it is the single biggest lever. The base duty is the same for a given product, but surcharges are applied by origin. As of mid-2026, effective apparel rates ran from 0% for USMCA-qualifying goods from Mexico and Canada up to around 24% for some Chinese categories where Section 301 stacks on the base rate. Most other major Asian sources sat near the base rate plus the prevailing surcharge.
Two practical points for a custom uniform buyer:
- Get the correct HTS code early. A knit polo (Chapter 61) and a woven jacket (Chapter 62) can carry different base rates. Classification is not a formality, it sets your duty.
- Confirm your factory's country and current effective rate before you sign. The right question to a supplier is not "do you cover the tariff," it is "what HTS code and country of origin will appear on my entry, and what is today's effective rate for it."
How do I protect my order price from a tariff swing?
You cannot control trade policy, but you can control how exposed your order is to it. These are the moves that work.
- Price both scenarios in your contract. With surcharges arriving and expiring on fixed dates, ask your supplier to quote with and without the current surcharge so a change does not blow up the order mid-production.
- Lower the FOB, lower the duty. Duty is a percentage of factory value. Ordering at an efficient volume and a clean spec reduces the base the percentage is applied to.
- Buy through a US company that handles the import. When a US entity places the order and manages the entry, you deal with a US invoice and a US point of contact rather than a foreign customs process. Our post on paying a US company for overseas manufacturing explains how that model works.
- Verify the rate at order time, not at quote time. Because rates move monthly, confirm the current effective duty for your HTS code and origin the week you place the order.
A worked landed-cost example
Say you order custom uniforms with an FOB value of 10,000 dollars, and the current effective duty for your product and origin is 16.5%. The duty line is about 1,650 dollars. Add roughly a few hundred dollars in MPF, HMF, and broker fees, then freight on top. If a surcharge pushes the effective rate to 26.5%, the duty line becomes about 2,650 dollars, a 1,000 dollar swing on the same goods. That gap is exactly why the origin, the HTS code, and the contract wording matter more than any single headline rate.
This example is illustrative. Confirm the current rate for your specific product and country before you ship.
Where a factory-direct US model fits
Alayki produces custom uniforms, teamwear, and jackets in its own Sialkot factory and sells through a US company. That structure means you get factory-direct pricing on the goods and a US-based order and invoice, so the import side is handled for you rather than left on your desk. You can see how the flow works on our how it works page, and the setup behind it on our about page.
For the products themselves, browse custom sports uniforms and custom jackets and outerwear.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays the tariff on imported custom uniforms?
The importer of record pays the duty to US Customs. When you order through a US company that acts as importer, that duty is handled within your US invoice rather than billed to you separately by a carrier or broker.
Are tariff rates fixed for the year?
No. In 2026 apparel surcharges changed on fixed dates, including a major change on July 24. Rates can move month to month, so verify the current figure before every order.
Does a lower factory price really lower my duty?
Yes. Duty is a percentage of the customs value, which is usually the FOB factory price. A lower FOB and an efficient order size reduce the dollar duty as well as the goods cost.
How do I find my product's tariff rate?
You need the correct HTS classification (Chapter 61 for knit, Chapter 62 for woven) and the country of origin, then check the current effective rate for that combination. A customs broker or the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule confirms it. Ask your supplier which code and origin will appear on your entry.
Get a landed-ready quote
Tell us what you need made, the quantity, and your delivery date. We will quote the goods factory-direct and explain how the US order and import are handled, so you see a clear price rather than a tariff surprise later. Start a custom uniform quote, or contact our team with questions.
By Qasim Hussain, Founder, Alayki brand, and Managing Partner, QVR Associates.