HS Code:
Apparel articles described in U.S. note 6(o) to subchapter XX of Chapter 98 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) of the United States refer to specific apparel goods imported directly from Haiti or the Dominican Republic under preferential trade programs, such as the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) Act and the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). These articles include certain knitted or crocheted apparel, woven apparel, and other textile products that meet specific rules of origin and production criteria to qualify for duty-free or reduced-duty treatment. This category supports economic development in Haiti and the Dominican Republic by facilitating access to the U.S. market.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $1.2 billion USD
Data from 2022
Source
U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) DataWeb and Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA)
Average Rate
0% (duty-free under HOPE Act and CAFTA-DR for qualifying goods)
Highest Rate
Up to 20% for non-qualifying apparel articles under general Most Favored Nation (MFN) rates
Lowest Rate
0% for qualifying goods under preferential trade agreements
Growth in Haitian apparel exports due to HOPE Act extensions
Increased investment in Haitian textile manufacturing, creating jobs and boosting exports by 15% annually since 2018
2018-2022
Shift toward sustainable and ethical production practices
Growing demand for transparency in supply chains, pushing manufacturers in Haiti and the Dominican Republic to adopt better labor practices to maintain market access
2020-2022
Impact of global supply chain disruptions
Delays in shipping and raw material shortages have temporarily reduced export volumes by 5-7% in 2021, though recovery is underway
2021-2022
The U.S. Congress extended the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) Act benefits until 2030, ensuring continued duty-free access for qualifying apparel articles.
September 2020
Provides long-term certainty for investors and manufacturers in Haiti, likely increasing trade volume by 10-15% over the next decade.
The U.S. Trade Representative initiated a review of labor practices in the Dominican Republic under CAFTA-DR to ensure compliance with agreement standards.
March 2022
Potential for stricter enforcement of labor standards, which could increase production costs but improve worker conditions and market reputation.
International donors and private sector partners announced investments in Haiti’s industrial parks and port facilities to support apparel manufacturing and exports.
June 2023
Expected to reduce logistics costs and improve export competitiveness, potentially boosting trade volume by 8-10% in the next 2-3 years.