Exporting from South Korea to the United States: import duties in 2026
Trade agreement
KORUS FTA
Forced-labor tariff (since Jul 24, 2026)
12.5%*
Merchandise Processing Fee
Waived for qualifying FTA goods
Duty on common products
Total added duty as a % of value for goods made in South Korea. "With agreement" assumes the goods meet the rules of origin.
| Product | HTS | Normal rate | With agreement | Total today | vs. China |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton T-shirts (knit) | 6109.10.00 | 16.5% | Free | 12.5%16.5% without agreement | 36.5% |
| Men's cotton knit shirts | 6105.10.00 | 19.7% | Free | 12.5%19.7% without agreement | 39.7% |
| Cotton sweaters & sweatshirts | 6110.20.20 | 16.5% | Free | 12.5%16.5% without agreement | 36.5% |
| Synthetic-fiber sweaters & sweatshirts | 6110.30.30 | 32% | Free | 12.5%32% without agreement | 52% |
| Bras | 6212.10.90 | 16.9% | Free | 12.5%16.9% without agreement | 36.9% |
| Bags & backpacks of man-made fibers | 4202.92.31 | 17.6% | Free | 12.5%17.6% without agreement | 55.1% |
| Leather footwear (over $2.50/pair) | 6403.99.90 | 10% | Free | 12.5% | 30% |
| Cotton terry towels | 6302.60.00 | 9.1% | Free | 12.5% | 29.1% |
| Medical / exam gloves (rubber) | 4015.12.10 | Free | — | 12.5% | 112.5% |
Forced-labor tariff shown at the country tier. Some products are exempt under Annex II of the USTR action; exemptions are being verified product by product.
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What exporters should know
- If you sell DDP (delivered duty paid), you or your U.S. customs agent pay these duties. If you sell FOB/EXW, your buyer pays them — but they'll compare your landed cost with other countries.
- Duty depends on where the goods are made, not where they ship from. Transshipping through a lower-duty country does not change origin, and CBP actively enforces this.
- To use KORUS FTA, goods must meet its rules of origin (for apparel, usually yarn-forward) and the importer needs supporting documentation.
- The forced-labor tariff is in addition to normal duties, except where an exemption applies (e.g. duty-free USMCA goods, and duty-free CAFTA-DR and Jordan textiles and apparel).