China ships 20x more garments to US than India across many categories

For example, the US imported made-up articles of textile materials, including dress patterns (HS code 630790), worth $3,453 million from China in 2024. The total US imports of these items stood at $5,170 million. China supplied 66.8 per cent of total US imports in this category. Furthermore, 53 per cent of China’s total exports under this code—valued at $6,507 million—were directed to the US during the same period.

Looking at India’s position in the US market, the country exported these products worth $150 million to the US in 2024, securing just a 2.9 per cent market share. China’s shipment to the US was approximately 23 times larger than India’s. India’s total exports of these products stood at $405 million, meaning the US accounted for 37 per cent of India’s exports in this category.

The analysis was conducted by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industries (CITI) under the guidance of its past chairman, Sanjay Jain. He told Fibre2Fashion, “The analysis will help identify HS code-wise products for a more focused approach. We have identified the top 20 HS codes where China holds a strong position in the US market.”

Jain, who is also chairman of the ICC National Textile Committee at the Indian Chamber of Commerce and managing director of TT Limited, said that following the imposition of high tariffs on Chinese products, India could gain a substantial advantage in the US market if it manages to secure even a moderate share of China's exports. He added that India's share was minuscule across the top 20 textile and apparel items imported by the US from China last year, which presents a huge opportunity for India.

Another product category is blankets and travelling rugs of synthetic fibres—including electric blankets, table covers, and bedspreads (HS code 630140). The US imported $1,261 million (91.9 per cent) worth of such products from China out of total imports of $1,374 million in 2024. In contrast, US imports from India were recorded at just $29 million (2.2 per cent) during the same period. China’s shipment of this item was 42 times greater than India’s.

CITI has identified items that ranked highest in terms of value among US imports from China. Among the top 10 items were full-length or knee-length stockings, socks and other hosiery (code 611596); jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, and waistcoats of cotton, knitted (code 611020); jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, and waistcoats of man-made fibre (code 611030); women’s trousers and bib-and-brace overalls (code 620462); bedlinen of man-made fibres (code 630232); brassieres made from all types of textile materials (code 621210); curtains, including drapes, interior blinds, and bed valances of synthetic fibre (code 630392); and women’s dresses of synthetic fibres (code 620443).

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)