How to Import Silk Into the United States

To import silk into the United States, importers should first learn how to accurately classify silk goods in the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) to ensure they pay the correct duties and avoid delays and penalties from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Several federal agencies may regulate a silk shipment depending on the product’s form and intended use. Relevant authorities can include the  Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What Forms of Silk Are Imported Into the United States?

Silk can be imported in raw, thread, and woven forms, and it is a constituent commodity used in the manufacture of textiles including clothing. The following list describes imported silk commodities according to their Harmonized System (HS) designations.

• Silkworm cocoons
• Raw silk
• Silk waste
• Silk yarn
• Woven silk fabric
• Silk blends
• Finished silk apparel and accessories

Raw silk and similar materials are classified in Chapter 50 of the HTS, while finished products containing silk are classified in chapters 51 through 63. 

How Are Silk Imports Classified?

Importers and customs brokers use the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) to classify silk and silk goods in the Harmonized System (HS). Specifically, silk importers will need to use the following information when classifying their goods:

• Product form
• Fiber composition
• Percentage of silk in composition
• Whether the silk comes from waste
• Retail or non-retail packaging
• Fabric construction
• Weight
• Intended use

Using this information, an importer applies the GRI to identify the appropriate four-digit HS heading and then continues through the subheadings to determine the full U.S. HTS classification. 

Product form provides one of the clearest initial classification distinctions. For example, silk yarn on a spool is classified differently from a finished silk garment because the yarn has not yet become a finished article. 

Are Silk Imports Duty-Free?

Generally speaking, no: silk imports are subject to the applicable column duty rate in the HTS for their imported goods, along with any additional tariffs applied via mechanisms such as Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 and anti dumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVDs).

In Chapter 50 of the HTS, silk commodity duty rates range from zero to 3.9% ad valorem under column 1, with preferential treatment available under trade agreements like the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the Dominican Republic-Central America FTA (CAFTA-DR). 

As of July 2026, additional Section 301 duties of 10% or 12.5% apply to covered products from numerous U.S. trading partners, subject to specified product exemptions and other adjustments. Importers must review the current Chapter 99 provisions for the product’s HTS classification and country of origin. 

What Labeling Rules Apply to Silk Products?

Labeling requirements for textiles (including those that contain silk) are established in part 303 of the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act. 

Fiber-Content Labels

The label must identify how much silk is present in the overall composition of a textile. For instance, a half silk/half cotton blend should contain “50 percent silk” and “50 percent cotton” on the label.

Country-of-Origin Marking

Labels must contain the accurate country of origin for the imported silk goods. Country of origin refers to the country in which the goods were made or harvested, so if goods are purchased by a wholesaler in Canada from a Chinese supplier and the Canadian business sells those goods to a U.S. buyer, the country of origin is still China, not Canada. 

Manufacturer or Dealer Identity

Labels must clearly identify the manufacturer or dealer of any silk textiles. A qualifying company may identify itself with its business name, a federally registered trademark, or an FTC-issued Registered Identification Number. 

Which Agencies Regulate Silk Imports?

CBP enforces regulations on silk imports from four different partner government agencies:

• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The responsibilities these agencies fulfill vary depending on the type of silk being imported and which aspect of its importation they regulate.

Federal Trade Commission

The FTC primarily administers textile-labeling and deceptive-marketing requirements, while CBP enforces applicable import requirements at the border. Silk merchandise that fails mandatory labeling, marking, admissibility, or intellectual-property requirements may be detained, excluded, seized, or required to be corrected, depending on the violation. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture

USDA requirements may apply to silk-related commodities based on their form, processing, and claims. For example, live silkworms and certain biological materials can require USDA permits or inspection, while products marketed with regulated organic claims must satisfy the applicable certification and labeling requirements. 

Consumer Product Safety Commission

The CPSC is charged with enforcing labeling guidelines and ensuring that imported children’s sleepwear, bedding, and other textile goods are flame-resistant and can self-extinguish if ignited by a small flame such as that from a candle. 

If an importer attempts to bring silk infantwear into the country that does not adhere to these applicable labeling and flammability requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 16 § 1615.5, they may be subject to penalties such as delays, fines, and forfeiture of imported merchandise.

Environmental Protection Agency

Agents of the EPA sometimes inspect silk imports to ensure they contain no toxic substances like pesticides. You should verify whether chemical treatments, coatings, dyes, or pesticidal claims trigger EPA reporting, certification, labeling, or admissibility requirements

Can You Import Silk From China?

Yes, it is legal to import silk and silk-derived products into the U.S. from China. China’s historical association with silk as a commodity means new importers often consider China before other trade partners.

China ranked number one by USD value for supplying silk yarn not spun from waste to the U.S. in 2025. However, other countries rank higher in different types of silk commodities.

What Countries Supply Silk to the United States?

Besides China, other countries that supply silk to the U.S. include India, South Korea, and Italy. The table below displays commonly imported silk commodities from top U.S. trade partners in 2025. 

Provided by World Bank

Other silk commodities with less import volume include silkwork cocoons for reeling, raw silk, and silk waste.

Common Problems When Importing Silk

Silk importers, especially those who are inexperienced, commonly face these five problems:

1. Classifying finished silk goods under Chapter 50
2. Accepting an incomplete fiber-composition description
3. Assuming every silk product is duty-free
4. Using incorrect textile or origin labels
5. Relying entirely on the supplier’s HS code

Each item should state the problem and the preventive action in two or three sentences.

Silk Import Checklist

Importers can use this checklist to reduce the risk of clearance delays and CBP penalties:

1. Identify the silk commodity according to the General Rules of Interpretation.
2. Confirm the silk fiber’s composition.
3. Classify the silk commodity with the correct HTS code.
4. Verify what duties are owed according to the country of origin, tariffs, and applicable trade deals.
5. Confirm whether USDA, CPSC, or EPA regulations apply to the imported silk.
6. Collect and save supplier documentation and supply chain verification in case CBP audits the shipment at a later date.

Businesses that want to add an extra layer of verification to their dealings with CBP often partner with a customs broker. CBP-licensed customs brokers are uniquely qualified to assist importers with the complexities of U.S. customs. 

If you’re interested in assistance from a licensed customs broker for your imported silk goods, call us at (855) 912-0406 or fill out a contact form online today. 

Sources:

General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System

Title 16, Chapter I, Subchapter C, Part 303 - Rules and Regulations Under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act, Code of Federal Regulations, 2026

Children’s Sleepwear, Consumer Product Safety Commission

Title 16, Chapter I, Subchapter D, Part 1615.5 Labeling Requirements, Code of Federal Regulations, 2026