Understanding Country of Origin Marking for Wearing Apparel

Overview

Proper country of origin marking is an important requirement when importing wearing apparel into the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires imported apparel to be labeled so consumers can easily identify where a product was made. Below are answers to some common questions about these requirements.

What are the country of origin marking requirements?

Most imported wearing apparel must be marked with its country of origin. These requirements help consumers identify where a product was manufactured before making a purchase.

The marking must be:

• Conspicuous (easy to find)

• Legible (easy to read)

• Permanent enough to remain on the product until it reaches the purchaser

• Written in English

How is the country of origin determined?

CBP determines a garment's country of origin using the textile and apparel rules of origin found in 19 CFR Part 102. These rules establish which country should be identified as the product's origin.

Where should the country of origin label be placed?

Most apparel must have a permanent fabric label.

General placement includes:

• Shirts, jackets, dresses, sweaters: Inside the center of the neck.

• Pants, shorts, skirts: Inside the waistband or another permanent, visible location.

Are there any exceptions?

Yes. Certain products, such as reversible garments, suits sold as a set, gloves, scarves, belts, socks, and some sealed packaged apparel, have special marking requirements or approved alternative labeling methods based on CBP rulings.

What if another country or U.S. location appears on the product?

If a garment includes the name of another country or a U.S. city or state that is not the country of origin, the actual country of origin must appear nearby in comparable lettering and be preceded by phrases such as "Made in" or "Product of." This helps prevent consumers from being misled.

What additional labeling information is required?

In addition to country of origin, apparel must comply with the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act and Wool Products Labeling Act.

Labels generally must include:

• Fiber content by percentage

• Approved fiber names

• Country of origin

• The responsible company's name, RN, or WPL number

Most apparel must also include a permanent care label with washing instructions, as required by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Why is proper marking important?

Proper labeling helps consumers make informed purchasing decisions while ensuring imported apparel complies with U.S. regulations. Incorrect or missing labels can delay shipments or result in enforcement actions.

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