Key takeaways about importers of garments in USA
- EFL CONTAINER LINES LLC leads importers of garments in USA in Q1 2026 at US$429.86 million (2.41% share), followed by IMPERATIVE LOGISTICS LLC (1.07%), GILDAN NDC EDEN NC DC 50 (0.95%), GILDAN SC2 CO 809 (0.93%), and SUMMIT GLOVE INC (0.92%).
- HS 610910 cotton T-shirts anchor US apparel imports at US$1.85 billion (10.40%) in Q1 2026, with HS 620500 men's shirts (US$542.63M), HS 610900 other T-shirts (US$473.24M), and HS 620343 men's synthetic trousers (US$437.95M) rounding out the top 5 visible categories.
- China leads US clothing imports at 23.93% share among US garment importers, followed by Vietnam (18.08%), Sri Lanka (15.86%), Singapore (6.80%), and South Korea (6.13%) in Q1 2026 - with total US apparel imports down 11.6% YoY per Textile Excellence and OTEXA-tracked data.
✔ US Import & Export Trade Data ✔ Garments Imports
📚 US Top Import Data Analysis 2025 by TradeInt
Garments are one category in a wider US import picture. The top 4-digit HS code across all 2025 US imports was HS 8471 (computers and data processing machines), with sub-code 847150 alone worth US$163.64 billion. See the full HS chapter and country breakdown across all US imports.
Read more: 2025 US Import Data Analysis
Who are the top garment importers in the USA?
The top importers of garments in the USA in Q1 2026 are EFL CONTAINER LINES LLC at US$429.86 million (2.41% share), IMPERATIVE LOGISTICS LLC at US$191.13 million (1.07%), GILDAN NDC EDEN NC DC 50 at US$169.79 million (0.95%), GILDAN SC2 CO 809 at US$164.85 million (0.93%), and SUMMIT GLOVE INC at US$164.35 million (0.92%).
These top 5 US verified apparel buyers on TradeInt collectively command 6.28% of Q1 2026 imports under HS 610, 611, 620, 621, and 6309:
- EFL CONTAINER LINES LLC: Leading global logistics provider managing bulk shipping and transport for major apparel brands.
- IMPERATIVE LOGISTICS LLC: Delivers specialized freight forwarding and supply chain solutions tailored for international garment shipping.
- GILDAN NDC EDEN NC DC 50: Main distribution hub handling high-volume inventory for a major global casual apparel brand.
- GILDAN SC2 CO 809: Core supply chain entity facilitating large-scale distribution of basic activewear across North America.
- SUMMIT GLOVE INC: Specializes in importing industrial-grade protective gloves and safety apparel for diverse sectors.
| Rank | Importer | Value (US$) | Share % | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EFL CONTAINER LINES LLC | Unlock trade data from TradeInt | 2.41% | Leading global logistics provider managing bulk shipping and transport for major apparel brands. |
| 2 | IMPERATIVE LOGISTICS LLC | 1.07% | Delivers specialized freight forwarding and supply chain solutions tailored for international garment shipping. | |
| 3 | GILDAN NDC EDEN NC DC 50 | 0.95% | Main distribution hub handling high-volume inventory for a major global casual apparel brand. | |
| 4 | GILDAN SC2 CO 809 | 0.93% | Core supply chain entity facilitating large-scale distribution of basic activewear across North America. | |
| 5 | SUMMIT GLOVE INC | 0.92% | Specializes in importing industrial-grade protective gloves and safety apparel for diverse sectors. |
Period: January-March 2026. HS Code: 610, 611, 620, 621 & 6309
✔ US Import & Export Trade Data ✔ HS 61 Imports
📦 HS 61 US Apparel Import Data Insights by TradeInt
HS 61 (knitted and crocheted apparel) anchors US garment imports, including T-shirts, polo shirts, sweaters, and synthetic activewear. Preview verified buyers by searching HS 61 sub-code, country of origin, port, and shipment frequency.
Preview here: US HS 61 import trade records by year and HS code
What type of clothes does the US import?
The most imported clothing in the US is HS 610910 (cotton T-shirts, singlets, and other vests) at US$1.85 billion (10.40%), followed by HS 620500 (men's shirts) at US$542.63 million (3.05%) and HS 610900 (T-shirts and singlets of other materials) at US$473.24 million (2.66%), with HS 620343 (men's synthetic trousers) at US$437.95 million completing the visible top 5, from TradeInt's trade insights.
Top 6-digit HS clothing categories imported to the USA in Q1 2026:
- HS 610910 - Cotton T-shirts and singlets: US$1.85 billion (10.40%): Dominates apparel imports, driving high-volume retail sales and everyday consumer clothing markets.
- HS 620500 - Men's shirts (not knitted): US$542.63 million (3.05%): Anchors professional and casual menswear retail sectors with high-value formal and casual shirts.
- HS 610900 - T-shirts and singlets of other materials: US$473.24 million (2.66%): Fulfills mass consumer demand for synthetic, blended, and versatile athletic or casual activewear.
- HS 620343 - Men's synthetic trousers: US$437.95 million (2.46%): Supports expanding markets for durable, weather-resistant, and functional synthetic casual or outdoor bottoms.
| Rank | Top 6-Digit HS Code | Value (US$) | Share % | Economic Importance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 610910 | $1,852,289,081 | 10.40% | Dominates apparel imports, driving high-volume retail sales and everyday consumer clothing markets. |
| 2 | 🔒 Unlock US Import Trade Data | |||
| 3 | 620500 | $542,627,594 | 3.05% | Anchors professional and casual menswear retail sectors with high-value formal and casual shirts. |
| 4 | 610900 | 473,241,598.92 | 2.66% | Fulfills mass consumer demand for synthetic, blended, and versatile athletic or casual activewear. |
| 5 | 620343 | $437,946,664 | 2.46% | Supports expanding markets for durable, weather-resistant, and functional synthetic casual or outdoor bottoms. |
Period: January-March 2026. HS Code: 610,611,620,621,6309
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🏭 Top Garment Exporting Countries Data Insights 2025 by TradeInt
This article looks at the US buying side. The supply side is global: China shipped roughly US$38.1 billion in textiles and apparel in the first half of 2025, followed by Vietnam (US$8.93B), India (US$4.07B), Bangladesh (US$2.79B), Indonesia (US$2.06B), and Pakistan (US$1.37B).
Read now: Top 10 Garment Exporting Countries 2025
How to find buyers for export garments in the US?
The fastest way to find verified US garment buyers is through TradeInt's global trade database by performing the following actions:
- Shortlist exporters by product name or HS code: Search HS 61 in 1SmartSearch to review Bill of Lading records and focus on the exporter field, which shows exporting-side company names captured in each shipment alongside the corresponding US importer and shipment value.
- Validate real supply routes: Check origin country and destination country pairing inside 1SmartSearch, because route consistency and repeated exporter trade activity are stronger signals of qualified suppliers than directory-only claims.
- Filter by sub-HS category: Narrow the 1SmartSearch results to specific 6-digit HS codes (610910 cotton T-shirts, 620500 men's shirts, 610900 other-material T-shirts, 620343 men's synthetic trousers) to match buyers to your exact product capability.
- Verify shipment cadence: Review historical Bill of Lading records to assess each buyer's recurring shipment frequency, average shipment size, and supplier diversification, qualifying procurement-ready accounts versus one-off spot orders.
With TradeInt, you can shortlist exporters or suppliers for HS 61 by reviewing the exporter field in Bill of Lading records, which shows exporting-side company names captured in each shipment.
Validate real supply routes by checking origin and destination country pairings, because route consistency and repeated trade activity are stronger signals than directory-only claims.
Where does the US import most clothing from?
China is the #1 clothing export to the US, valued at US$4.26 billion (23.93%), Vietnam at US$3.22 billion (18.08%), and Sri Lanka at US$2.82 billion (15.86%), with Singapore at US$1.21 billion (6.80%) and South Korea at US$1.09 billion (6.13%) completing the top 5 origin countries, analyzed from TradeInt's US import trade data records.
According to FDI Intelligence's analysis of US apparel sourcing dynamics, US apparel sourcing patterns continue to evolve as brands balance manufacturing capacity, fibre mix, supply chain reliability, and origin diversification across the broader Asian apparel manufacturing belt.
Top 5 US clothing import partners in Q1 2026:
- China - US$4.26 billion (23.93%): Remains the leading manufacturing partner, providing unmatched manufacturing capacity and highly competitive pricing.
- Vietnam - US$3.22 billion (18.08%): Serves as a vital secondary hub, stabilizing supply chains for major global activewear brands.
- Sri Lanka - US$2.82 billion (15.86%): Delivers specialized, high-quality garment manufacturing, enhancing premium apparel lines for US retailers.
- Singapore - US$1.21 billion (6.80%): Operates as a strategic transshipment hub, streamlining Southeast Asian trade logistics for apparel.
- South Korea - US$1.09 billion (6.13%): Supplies technically advanced textiles and premium apparel goods to support high-end fashion markets.
| Rank | Country | Value (US$) | Share % | Economic Importance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | Unlock trade data on TradeInt | 23.93% | Remains the leading manufacturing partner, providing unmatched manufacturing capacity and highly competitive pricing. |
| 2 | Vietnam | $3,219,475,245 | 18.08% | Serves as a vital secondary hub, stabilizing supply chains for major global activewear brands. |
| 3 | Sri Lanka | $2,824,094,779 | 15.86% | Delivers specialized, high-quality garment manufacturing, enhancing premium apparel lines for US retailers. |
| 4 | Singapore | $1,210,812,896 | 6.80% | Operates as a strategic transshipment hub, streamlining Southeast Asian trade logistics for apparel. |
| 5 | South Korea | $1,091,978,534 | 6.13% | Supplies technically advanced textiles and premium apparel goods to support high-end fashion markets. |
Period: January-March 2026. HS Code: 610,611,620,621&6309
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🧥 Access US Clothing Buyers From Vietnam on TradeInt
Vietnam captured 18.08% of the US apparel market in Q1 2026. TradeInt's HS 61 import data shows which US buyers placed orders in Vietnam, what products they imported, how often they shipped, and which Vietnamese factories supplied them.
Explore more on: Verified Vietnam clothes suppliers through TradeInt's global trade database search
Conclusion
Q1 2026 importers of garments in USA cluster around three structural realities: a top-5 importer roster led by logistics providers (EFL CONTAINER LINES LLC, IMPERATIVE LOGISTICS LLC) and brand distribution arms (GILDAN), an HS-code mix anchored by HS 610910 cotton T-shirts (10.40%), and an origin block concentrated in China-Vietnam-Sri Lanka (57.87% combined share).
For exporters targeting garment buyers in the US and us garment importers at the company level, use TradeInt to reach out over 500 million verified importers & exporters.
Frequently asked questions
Where are most US clothes made?
Most US clothes are made in China, which supplied US$4.26 billion (23.93%) of US clothing imports in Q1 2026, followed by Vietnam at US$3.22 billion (18.08%) and Sri Lanka at US$2.82 billion (15.86%).
Who is the largest importer of clothes in the US?
The largest importer of clothes in the US in Q1 2026 is EFL CONTAINER LINES LLC at US$429.86 million (2.41% share), followed by IMPERATIVE LOGISTICS LLC (1.07%) and GILDAN NDC EDEN NC DC 50 (0.95%) per TradeInt's verified Bill of Lading database.
What is the most imported clothing item in the US?
The most imported clothing item in the US is cotton T-shirts under HS 610910 in Q1 2026, with cotton knitted apparel (HS 610) and cotton sweaters/pullovers (HS 6110) anchoring the bulk of US clothing imports per TradeInt's Q1 2026 records.


