REX registered 0% duty into the EU, UK, Canada & Japan — see current status

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Trishakti Apparel · Nepal

Buying from Nepal into United States

Knitwear from Nepal for US buyers: what you will really pay

Standard duty applies No preference programme – MFN (column 1 general) rates From Nepal: MFN (16.5% cotton tees) Standard cotton tee: 16.5% U.S. International Trade Commission (source: Harmonized Tariff Schedule – 6109.10.00 (16.5%), 6105.10.00 (19.7%), 6110.20.20 (16.5%), opens in a new tab) Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (source: Notice of actions in Section 301 investigations of 60 economies related to forced labour import prohibitions (effective 24 July 2026), opens in a new tab)

Does imported fabric still qualify?

For the US, origin matters for marking and for extra tariffs rather than for a preference. Garments cut and sewn in Nepal are normally marked "Made in Nepal", but the product of the fabric, not only the sewing, can matter for some US measures. Chinese-origin cotton fabric also brings Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act scrutiny: US Customs can detain goods containing Xinjiang cotton, so we keep mill and yarn traceability documents for every lot. Confirm the country of origin and duty treatment per style with your broker. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (source: Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), opens in a new tab) U.S. International Trade Commission (source: Harmonized Tariff Schedule – 6109.10.00 (16.5%), 6105.10.00 (19.7%), 6110.20.20 (16.5%), opens in a new tab)

What you receive and use at import

Why United States buyers work with us

No extra forced-labour tariff (as of Sept 2026)

Since 24 July 2026 the US applies Section 301 duties of 10–12.5% to 60 economies, including India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka (10%) and Vietnam (12.5%). Nepal is not on the list, so Nepali garments currently pay MFN duty only. This can change, so check before you order. Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (source: Notice of actions in Section 301 investigations of 60 economies related to forced labour import prohibitions (effective 24 July 2026), opens in a new tab) The White House (source: Actions by the United States in the Section 301 investigations of 60 economies (July 2026), opens in a new tab)

Low MOQ for testing

1,000 pieces per style per colour lets US brands trial a new supplier without a large commitment.

Margin calculator

What does 0% duty put back in your margin?

Example FOB prices are illustrative, not our quote. Duty is charged on customs value (usually CIF in the EU/UK, FOB in Canada and the US), so real savings are often slightly higher. Rates verified 2026-09-24; confirm your HS line with your customs broker.

Standard duty into United States: 16.5% · from Nepal: 16.5%

No preference applies — standard duty is payable into United States. Our case there is low MOQs, clean power and ethical production, not duty.

How importing into United States works →
Minimum order
1,000
Per style / colour · flexible per programme
Sampling
7–14
After tech-pack review
Bulk lead time
40–50
After sample approval
Monthly capacity
26–30k
Knit basics · confirmed per programme

Questions from United States buyers

Straight answers.

Is clothing from Nepal duty-free in the US?
No. The Nepal Trade Preference Program expired on 31 December 2025 and US GSP is lapsed. Nepali garments pay the normal MFN rate, e.g. 16.5% on cotton T-shirts.
Does Nepal face the new US forced-labour tariffs?
As of 24 September 2026, no. Nepal is not one of the 60 economies in the Section 301 action that took effect on 24 July 2026. US tariff policy changes often, so confirm with your broker before each order.
Is Nepal cheaper than Bangladesh or India for the US?
On duty alone, Nepal currently avoids the extra 10% Section 301 tariff that applies to India and Bangladesh (Bangladesh may get apparel quotas at 0%). Landed cost also depends on FOB price, freight and lead time, so compare full quotes.
What about Chinese fabric and UFLPA?
US Customs can detain goods containing Xinjiang cotton. We keep mill, yarn and fibre traceability for each fabric lot and share it with US buyers.

Guides for United States importers

Sources & last verified

Page facts checked

We link every trade claim to the body that publishes it — official sources first. Rules change; if you spot something out of date, tell us.

  1. 01 Notice of actions in Section 301 investigations of 60 economies related to forced labour import prohibitions (effective 24 July 2026) Office of the U.S. Trade Representative · official · checked 24 Sept 2026
  2. 02 Nepal Trade Preference Program (NTPP) Office of the U.S. Trade Representative · official · checked 24 Sept 2026
  3. 03 India, Nepal ink deal to boost rail trade connectivity (Kolkata and Visakhapatnam cargo access) Press Information Bureau, Government of India · official · checked 24 Sept 2026
  4. 04 Actions by the United States in the Section 301 investigations of 60 economies (July 2026) The White House · official · checked 24 Sept 2026
  5. 05 Treaty of Trade, Treaty of Transit and related agreements (Kolkata/Haldia transit arrangements) Trade and Export Promotion Centre (TEPC), Government of Nepal · official · checked 24 Sept 2026
  6. 06 Nepal Foreign Trade Statistics 2083 (readymade garment exports FY 2082/83: Rs 9.30 billion) Trade and Export Promotion Centre (TEPC), Government of Nepal · official · checked 24 Sept 2026
  7. 07 Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) U.S. Customs and Border Protection · official · checked 24 Sept 2026
  8. 08 List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor (Nepal: bricks, carpets, embellished textiles, stones; garments not listed) U.S. Department of Labor – ILAB · official · checked 24 Sept 2026
  9. 09 Harmonized Tariff Schedule – 6109.10.00 (16.5%), 6105.10.00 (19.7%), 6110.20.20 (16.5%) U.S. International Trade Commission · official · checked 24 Sept 2026
  10. 10 US trade preference for Nepal expires, but exports unlikely to be hit hard, say experts (5 Jan 2026) The Kathmandu Post · checked 24 Sept 2026

Namaste — let’s talk

Sourcing for United States? Let’s cost it properly.

Send a tech pack, a photo or just an idea. You’ll hear back from the people who run the floor — usually within 24 hours, Nepal time.

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