Apparel / Textiles & Accessories

Customs data shows that in March 2023, the import volume of textiles and clothing in the United States significantly decreased, a decrease of 23.6% compared to the same period last year, but a significant increase of 23.4% compared to the previous month, reaching the highest level in the past five months. The import volume was 8.32 billion US dollars, a year-on-year decrease of 31.7% and a month on month increase of 4.1%.

In that month, the import volume of clothing from the United States was 1.86 billion square meters, a year-on-year decrease of 40.2%. However, according to customs data, it has increased by 2.6% compared to last month. The import value of clothing was 6.25 billion US dollars, a year-on-year decrease of 33%, but a month on month increase of 5%.

According to customs data, in March this year, the United States imported 1.7 billion square meters of textiles and clothing from China, a significant decrease of 40.3% year-on-year; The import volume was 1.46 billion US dollars, a decrease of 45% compared to the same period last year. Specifically, the import volume of clothing from the United States to China reached 500 million square meters, a year-on-year decrease of 45%, and the import value was 940 million US dollars, a year-on-year decrease of 45.7%.

These customs data show that China's market share in the US textile and clothing import market continues to decline. Since May 2022, China's market share has dropped to below 30%, reaching 23.8% in March 2023. Similarly, according to customs data, China's share in US clothing imports hit a new low of 26.6% in March, the lowest level since April 2020.

The decrease in the total import volume of textiles and clothing in the United States indicates a shift in the direction of textile procurement in the United States, with the proportion of other countries becoming increasingly prominent.