If you are buying clothing from an international brand and shipping it to a US address, expect three things: transit of roughly three to seven days by express courier once the garment is ready, a customs entry on arrival, and an import duty bill. Since 29 August 2025, the US de minimis exemption has ended — meaning duty applies to every imported shipment regardless of value, including orders well under the old $800 threshold. This guide explains what that means in practice.
What changed in 2025, and why it matters
For years, shipments valued under $800 entered the US duty-free under the de minimis rule. That is no longer the case. Duty-free treatment for low-value shipments ended in August 2025, and all commercial imports are now subject to applicable duties, taxes and fees.
The practical effect for shoppers: a $200 order from overseas is now dutiable in the same way a $2,000 order always was. If you last ordered internationally in 2024 and remember it arriving with nothing to pay, that experience is out of date.
How much duty will I pay on clothing?
It depends on the garment's classification and its country of manufacture, and rates have moved repeatedly through 2025 and 2026.
Apparel carries some of the higher duty rates in the US tariff schedule — the base rate alone commonly falls between roughly 12% and 32% depending on fibre content and construction, with additional layers applied on top depending on origin. Knitted and woven garments are classified differently. Silk, cotton and man-made fibres are rated differently again.
Because rates change and classification is technical, treat any single percentage you read online — including this one — as indicative rather than exact. The authoritative sources are US Customs and Border Protection and the US International Trade Commission's tariff schedule.
DDP vs DDU: the single most useful thing to check
This determines whether you are billed once or twice, and almost nobody checks it before ordering.
DDP — Delivered Duty Paid. The retailer calculates duty at checkout and pays it on your behalf. Your parcel arrives with nothing to pay. The checkout total is your final cost.
DDU / DAP — Delivered Duty Unpaid. The retailer ships without paying duty. The courier pays it on entry and then bills you before releasing the parcel. Your checkout total is not your final cost.
Neither is dishonest. But if a site is DDU and does not say so clearly, the first you learn of it is a courier's text message asking for several hundred dollars.
How to check: look at the shipping or FAQ page for the phrase "duties and taxes are the responsibility of the customer" — that means DDU. If checkout shows a line called "duties and import taxes," that means DDP.
What happens if I refuse to pay the duty?
The parcel is held at the port, then returned or abandoned after the storage window expires. Most retailers state that refused shipments are non-refundable — so you can lose both the payment and the garment. If you are unsure about the duty, ask before ordering rather than at the door.
How long does international delivery actually take?
Two separate clocks, and shoppers routinely confuse them.
Production time — for made-to-order or made-to-measure brands, the garment is sewn after you order. Typically 10 to 15 days.
Transit time — 3 to 7 days by express courier, plus 1 to 3 days for customs clearance.
A checkout page showing "5–8 business days" often refers only to transit. Read the shipping policy for the production window and add the two together.
How to order internationally without unpleasant surprises
- Check DDP or DDU before you pay.
- Add production time and transit time together, then add a week.
- Read the returns policy specifically for custom or made-to-order items — they are frequently excluded.
- Find out where returns are sent. A return to another continent may cost more than the item is worth to you.
- Keep the commercial invoice; you will need it for any return or claim.
Frequently asked questions
Is there still a duty-free threshold for US imports? No. De minimis duty-free treatment for low-value shipments ended on 29 August 2025.
Who pays the duty — me or the retailer? Whoever the retailer's shipping terms specify. Under DDP the retailer pays; under DDU you do, on delivery.
Can I avoid duty by having it marked as a gift? No. Misdeclaring value or purpose on a customs form is a customs offence, and enforcement on this has tightened.
Will I also pay state sales tax? Possibly, depending on the retailer's nexus obligations in your state. This is separate from import duty.
Is it cheaper to buy from a brand with US-based stock? Usually, yes — duty is paid once at wholesale value on a bulk import rather than on each retail parcel. It also means faster delivery and domestic returns.
AYRA ships worldwide from our Karachi atelier. Our shipping policy sets out our current terms in full, and if you would like a landed-cost estimate before ordering, contact us with your address and the piece you are considering — we would rather you knew in advance.
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