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Cotton from South Korea Tariff: 10% (2026)

Tariff Rate Breakdown

10%

Section 122 Base

10%

Effective Rate

KORUS — qualifying goods may enter duty-free

South Korea is a significant source of cotton imports into the United States, with approximately $169B in total bilateral trade.

As of mid-2026, cotton imports from South Korea face a base tariff rate of 10% under the Section 301 forced-labor tariff (a two-tier 10%/12.5% duty), which replaced the flat 10% Section 122 rate when it expired July 24, 2026. Section 122 had itself replaced the IEEPA reciprocal tariff following the Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling in Learning Resources v. Trump (with V.O.S. Selections) on February 20, 2026.

Under the Trade Act of 1974, Section 122 tariffs are limited to 150 days, so the flat 10% Section 122 rate expired on July 24, 2026. It was replaced the same day by USTR's Section 301 forced-labor tariff, and South Korea's current 10% base surcharge is that two-tier (10%/12.5%) rate.

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 South Korea.

South Korea is party to the KORUS, 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 South Korea 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 South Korea?

As of mid-2026, cotton from South Korea 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 South Korea change?

The flat 10% Section 122 tariff expired July 24, 2026 and was replaced the same day by the Section 301 forced-labor tariff; South Korea'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 South Korea?

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 South Korea). Qualifying goods under KORUS may still enter duty-free.