Does a listing for new clothing have to say "Made in USA" or "Imported"?
Yes: under the Textile and Wool Acts, an online listing for covered new clothing and household textiles must state clearly that the item was made in the USA, imported, or both, consistently with its label (15 U.S.C. 70b(i), 16 CFR 303.34 and 300.25a).
If the listing names or implies any fiber, it must also name every fiber of 5% or more by its generic name in order of weight, as on the label; the secondhand exclusion doesn't help with new-with-tags goods that aren't discernibly secondhand.
General information about federal law, not legal advice. This page quotes the rule and the agency's own guidance; it can't tell you whether your business meets them, and state law and marketplace policies can add more. For your own situation, check with a lawyer.
Made in USA, textile, wool and fur labeling (16 CFR Parts 300, 301, 303 and 323). Checked against the official sources below on .
The rule, in its own words
“…the description of such product shall contain a clear and conspicuous statement that the product was either made in U.S.A., imported, or both. Other words or phrases with the same meaning may be used.”
“The statement of origin required by this section shall not be inconsistent with the origin labeling of the product being advertised.”
“When a textile or wool product is advertised in a catalog or other mail order promotional material, including on an internet site…”
“If you manufacture, import, sell, offer to sell, distribute or advertise products covered by the Textile and Wool Acts, you must comply with the labeling requirements.”
Which items need it
Covered (303.45(a) and the FTC guide): clothing except hats and shoes, handkerchiefs, scarves, bedding, curtains and draperies, tablecloths and napkins, rugs and mats, towels and washcloths, umbrellas, cushions, furniture slipcovers, afghans and throws, sleeping bags, hammocks, and all fibers, yarns and fabrics. Wool products, including wool hats and wool slippers, follow the matching Wool Rules (300.25a).
Not covered by the Textile Act: shoes and other outer footwear, headwear (unless wool), handbags, luggage, toys, backpacks and tote bags, and pet clothing, among others listed in 70j(a) and the FTC guide. Belts, suspenders and permanently knotted neckties are excluded only while you say nothing about their fiber (303.45(b)(1), (c)).
Listing examples
| Item and label | Origin wording that matches the label | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New jeans, label “Made in Vietnam” | “Imported” (or “Made in Vietnam”) | "Other words or phrases with the same meaning may be used." |
| New sweater, label “Made in USA” | “Made in USA” | Must match the label; see the FTC's Made in USA standard for any claim beyond the label. |
| New shirt, label “Made in USA of imported fabric” | “Made in USA of imported fabric” (made in USA and imported) | The FTC says items made partly here and partly abroad must show both. |
| New wool beanie, label “Made in Canada” | “Imported” | Wool hats are covered by the Wool Rules (300.25a). |
| New sneakers | Not required by the textile rules | Shoes aren't covered by the Textile Act (70j(a)(10)). Don't make origin claims you can't support. |
| New dress, label “60% rayon, 40% linen”, listing says “linen dress” | “Imported”, plus “rayon, linen” in that order | Naming linen triggers the full fiber disclosure (70b(c), 303.41(a)). |
What the listing doesn't need
- Fiber percentages: optional in ads (303.42(a)), required on the label.
- The maker's name or RN: the ad rule in 70b(c) points to the fiber items of the label, (b)(1) and (b)(2), not the name or registered identification number.
- Fiber content at all, if you don't mention or imply any fiber. The origin statement is still required for covered products.
Edge cases
- New-with-tags from a thrift store. The secondhand exclusion covers articles that are "discernibly secondhand" or "marked to indicate their secondhand character". Unworn items with tags may be neither; the rule doesn't say.
- Retailers who repeat the manufacturer's label. The FTC says it won't bring actions against retailers that can't legally get a guaranty, don't embellish or misrepresent the manufacturer's claims and don't sell the goods as private label, unless they knew or should have known the sale would violate the Act or Rules.
- Item-specifics fields. If your marketplace has a country-of-origin field, the rule's text asks for a "clear and conspicuous statement" in the description; whether a structured field alone meets that isn't addressed in the sources.
- Socks have an extra rule: socks in the tariff classes listed in 15 U.S.C. 70b(k) must show the English name of the country of origin on the front of the package, next to the size. That is a package marking, so keep sealed sock packs intact and photograph the front.
- Don't swap or remove labels without replacing the required information; the FTC says anyone who substitutes a label must keep records for three years.
What to do
- Check the label for country of origin and fiber content before you list.
- Add "Imported", "Made in USA" or both to the description, matching the label.
- If you mention any fiber, list every fiber from the label in order of weight.
- Photograph the label and include it.
- For shoes, hats (other than wool), bags and belts, skip the textile origin statement but avoid unsupported origin claims.
Penalties, as the agency states them
The FTC states the consequences this way:
“Violators of an administrative order are subject to monetary civil penalties of up to $53,088 per violation. Each instance of mislabeling under the Textile, Wool and Fur Acts is considered a separate violation.”
Questions
Is "Imported" enough, or do I need the country?
The rule asks for a statement that the product was made in U.S.A., imported, or both; "Other words or phrases with the same meaning may be used" (303.34). It must not be inconsistent with the label.
Does this apply to used clothing?
Discernibly secondhand household textile articles are excluded from the Textile Act's requirements unless you make fiber claims (303.45(b)(4), (c)). See used clothing listings.
Does it apply to online listings?
Yes. The FTC says catalogs and other mail order promotional material include an internet site, and 303.1(u) defines mail order promotional material to include material disseminated by electronic means.
Sources
Every rule, number and date on this page comes from these official pages, each read on ; quotes are copied word for word. General information, not legal advice.
- 16 CFR Part 303: Rules and Regulations under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act (eCFR (Office of the Federal Register); eCFR, up to date as of Oct 21, 2026)
- FTC: Threading Your Way Through the Labeling Requirements Under the Textile and Wool Acts (Federal Trade Commission; July 2014, edited October 2020 and January 2025)
- 15 U.S.C. 70b: misbranded and falsely advertised textile fiber products (Textile Act) (United States Code, 2024 edition (GPO, govinfo.gov); United States Code, 2024 edition)
- 15 U.S.C. 70j: Textile Act exemptions (United States Code, 2024 edition (GPO, govinfo.gov); United States Code, 2024 edition)
- 16 CFR Part 300: Rules and Regulations under the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 (eCFR (Office of the Federal Register); eCFR, up to date as of Oct 21, 2026)
- FTC: Complying with the Made in USA Standard (Federal Trade Commission; July 2024)
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