US Import Duty on Indian Towels: 2026 Guide
HTS codes, approximate duty rates, customs bond and broker basics for US importers of Indian cotton towels.
How US Towel Duty Works
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) assesses import duty based on the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), a 10-digit classification system. Cotton terry towels - the standard hotel and retail bath towel construction - generally fall under HTS 6302.60, with an approximate MFN (Most Favoured Nation / Column 1) duty rate of 9.1% applied on the customs value of the goods (typically FOB value).
Unlike China, India does not face additional Section 301 tariffs, so Indian-origin towels are subject only to the standard MFN rate - no incremental trade-war surcharge layer applies as of 2026.
Beyond the HTS duty, formal entries also incur the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) at approximately 0.3464% of value (subject to a minimum and maximum per entry) and, for ocean freight, the Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) at 0.125% of value.
Worked Example
For a shipment of Indian cotton bath towels valued at $10,000 FOB:
- HTS duty: ~9.1% × $10,000 = ~$910
- MPF: ~0.3464% × $10,000 = ~$35 (subject to caps)
- HMF (if ocean freight): 0.125% × $10,000 = ~$12.50
- Estimated total duty/fees: ~$955–$960
These figures are approximate planning estimates only - always confirm the exact HTS subheading and current rate with your customs broker before finalizing a purchase order.
Approximate HTS Duty Rates for Home Textiles (2026)
| HTS Code | Description | Approx. Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6302.60.0010 | Dish towels, cotton terry | ~9.1% | Kitchen linen category |
| 6302.60.0020 | Other cotton terry towels (bath, hand) | ~9.1% | Most hotel/retail bath towels |
| 6302.60.0030 | Dish towels, cotton, other than terry | ~5.8% | Flat-woven kitchen towels |
| 6302.93.1000 | Towels of man-made fibre | ~13.9% | Microfibre / blended towels |
| 6301.30 | Blankets, cotton | ~6.3–8.4% | For reference - related home textile |
Rates are approximate and for planning only - confirm exact classification and current rate at hts.usitc.gov or with your customs broker before import.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the US import duty on Indian towels in 2026?
Terry towels of cotton (HTS 6302.60.0020) carry an approximate US Most Favoured Nation (MFN / Column 1) duty rate of 9.1% ad valorem, applied on the customs value (generally FOB) of the shipment. This is an approximate figure - the exact rate depends on the precise HTS subheading (blended fibre content, pile construction, and finish can shift the classification), so always confirm the final rate with a licensed US customs broker before committing to a landed-cost calculation.
What HTS code applies to towels imported from India?
Cotton terry towels generally fall under HTS 6302.60 (toilet and kitchen linen, of terry towelling or similar terry fabrics, of cotton), with the 10-digit statistical suffix determining the exact rate - commonly 6302.60.0010 (dish towels) or 6302.60.0020 (other, including bath and hand towels). Towels of man-made fibre fall under HTS 6302.93. Your customs broker or freight forwarder confirms the precise 10-digit code from your product spec sheet.
Does India face any special US tariffs (Section 301) on towels?
No. Section 301 tariffs, first imposed in 2018, target Chinese-origin goods and do not apply to India. Indian-origin towels are subject only to the standard MFN/Column 1 duty rate. This is one reason many US importers have shifted towel sourcing from China to India since 2019 - no incremental China-specific tariff layer applies.
Do I need a customs bond to import towels from India?
Yes, for formal entries (commercial shipments generally above the $2,500 informal-entry threshold). A customs bond guarantees payment of duties, taxes, and fees to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Options are a single-entry bond (one shipment) or a continuous annual bond (all shipments in a 12-month period, usually cheaper per-shipment for regular importers). A licensed customs broker arranges the bond as part of entry filing.
Do I need a customs broker to import towels commercially?
A licensed customs broker is not legally mandatory but is used by the large majority of commercial importers because CBP entry filing (7501 entry summary), correct HTS classification, and bond arrangement require specialised knowledge. Broker fees are typically modest relative to shipment value and reduce classification-error and delay risk.
How is US import duty calculated on a towel shipment?
Duty = HTS ad valorem rate × customs value. For a shipment of Indian bath towels valued at $10,000 FOB with a 9.1% rate, estimated duty is approximately $910. This is separate from the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF, approximately 0.3464% of value, subject to min/max caps) and Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF, 0.125% of value, ocean shipments only) - both apply in addition to the HTS duty on formal entries.
Are these duty figures guaranteed or exact?
No - all rates in this guide are approximate and provided for planning purposes only. HTS classification depends on precise fibre content, construction, and finish, and US tariff schedules are periodically revised. Confirm your exact HTS code and current duty rate with a licensed US customs broker or the USITC HTS lookup (hts.usitc.gov) before finalizing a purchase order.
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