Currently, India imposes a 30 per cent duty on all garments, whereas the US tariffs range between 7 per cent and 16.5 per cent. If the US includes Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) when calculating the total tariff levied by India, the disparity becomes even more significant.
According to a detailed analysis by the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), India enjoys a double-digit market share in 13 garment HSN codes within the US market. These categories are now at risk due to the proposed reciprocal tariff policy. The AEPC has presented its findings to the Indian government to aid in formulating an appropriate response strategy.
India’s share of baby garments in the US market increased to 19.45 per cent in 2023, up from 16.34 per cent in 2021 and 17.08 per cent in 2022. US imports of these products totalled $1,239.47 million in 2023, compared to $1,850.86 million in 2021 and $1,962.41 million in 2022. India exported baby garments worth $695.45 million to the global market in 2023, down from $790.98 million in 2021 and $850.56 million in 2022.
India’s global exports of men’s cotton shirts (HSN code 620520) amounted to $706 million in 2023, $746.19 million in 2022, and $570.91 million in 2021. Its share in the US market stood at 12.92 per cent in 2023, 13.29 per cent in 2022, and 13.56 per cent in 2021. US imports of these products were valued at $1,994.39 million in 2023, $2,335.70 million in 2022, and $1,539.48 million in 2021.
India held a 14.70 per cent market share in US imports of men’s cotton knitted shirts (code 610510) in 2023. During the year, India’s exports of these products were worth $457.54 million, while US imports totalled $1,044.39 million.
India also held an 11.13 per cent share in US imports of women’s tracksuits made from man-made fibres (code 621143) in 2023, with global exports of $332.21 million. The US imported $920.97 million worth of these products that year.
India accounted for 10.09 per cent of US imports of women’s blouses and shirts made of man-made fibres (code 620640), with US imports totalling $778.09 million in 2023. India’s exports in this category amounted to $290.08 million.
The country held a 14.20 per cent share in US imports of women’s dresses made from artificial fibres (code 620444), which amounted to $486.87 million in 2023. India exported $234.46 million worth of these products during the same year.
India’s share in US imports of men’s cotton underpants, knitted (code 610711), stood at 10.03 per cent in 2023, with US imports valued at $670.52 million and India’s exports at $161.50 million. Similarly, India held a 12.92 per cent share in US imports of women’s briefs and panties made of cotton, knitted (code 610821). US imports in this category totalled $559.16 million, while India’s exports stood at $128.25 million.
India’s share in US imports of non-knitted babies’ garments made of cotton (code 620920) was 10.30 per cent in 2023. US imports totalled $259.31 million, and India’s shipments amounted to $135.32 million.
India also had a 17.40 per cent share in US imports of jerseys, pullovers, and cardigans made of textile materials, knitted (code 611090), with US imports valued at $229.15 million and India’s exports at $40.29 million in 2023.
Finally, in the category of women’s cotton skirts, excluding knitted (code 620450), the US imported $203.63 million worth of goods, while India exported $91.22 million—accounting for a 14.45 per cent share in the US market in 2023.
ALCHEMPro News Desk (KUL)
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