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Cotton from Mexico Tariff: 10% (2026)

Tariff Rate Breakdown

10%

Section 122 Base

10%

Effective Rate

USMCA — qualifying goods may enter duty-free

Importers sourcing cotton from Mexico face specific tariff considerations, with approximately $779B in total bilateral trade.

The current tariff framework for cotton from Mexico reflects the post-SCOTUS landscape: a 10% base tariff under the Section 301 forced-labor tariff that replaced the flat 10% Section 122 rate on July 24, 2026, which had itself replaced the previously higher IEEPA rates after the Court's February 2026 ruling.

The flat 10% Section 122 tariff was subject to a 150-day statutory time limit and expired on July 24, 2026. It was replaced the same day by USTR's Section 301 forced-labor tariff — a two-tier 10%/12.5% duty on roughly 60 economies (about 99.4% of US imports by value), broader than the earlier 46-country proposal. Mexico's current 10% base surcharge is that forced-labor rate; in August 2026, 25 states sued at the Court of International Trade to block it, but CBP continues collecting it while the case proceeds.

Cotton (HTS Chapter 52) carry an average MFN duty rate of 7.5% in addition to the base forced-labor tariff. No additional Section 232 or Section 301 surcharges apply to most products in this category from Mexico.

Mexico is party to the USMCA, which may provide preferential or duty-free access for qualifying cotton. Importers should verify rules of origin requirements to take advantage of preferential rates.

Key products in HTS Chapter 52 imported from Mexico include Raw cotton, Cotton yarn, Cotton woven fabrics, Denim fabric, Cotton waste, and Sewing thread of cotton.

Common Products in Chapter 52

Raw cottonCotton yarnCotton woven fabricsDenim fabricCotton wasteSewing thread of cotton

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current tariff rate on cotton from Mexico?

As of mid-2026, cotton from Mexico face a base tariff of 10% under the Section 301 forced-labor tariff, which replaced the flat 10% Section 122 rate on July 24, 2026. The effective rate is about 10% on the most-affected products.

Will the tariff on cotton from Mexico change?

The flat 10% Section 122 tariff expired July 24, 2026 and was replaced the same day by the Section 301 forced-labor tariff; Mexico's current 10% base surcharge is that two-tier (10%/12.5%) rate, covering roughly 60 economies. In August 2026, 25 states sued to block the forced-labor tariff, but CBP continues collecting it while the case proceeds.

How did the Supreme Court ruling affect cotton imports from Mexico?

The Supreme Court's February 20, 2026 ruling struck down IEEPA reciprocal tariffs as exceeding presidential authority. The president signed a replacement flat 10% tariff under Section 122 the same day, effective February 24; that rate expired July 24, 2026 and was replaced by the Section 301 forced-labor tariff (now 10% for Mexico). Qualifying goods under USMCA may still enter duty-free.