To import non-woven fabric to the USA from India, you need three things in place before the goods ship: the correct tariff classification, an importer of record with a customs bond, and a written specification that the delivered rolls can be tested against. Non-woven importers in Asia follow the same logic, but the rules and paperwork differ by country.
Non-woven rolls are simple to ship and easy to get wrong. The product is usually described by weight, width and treatment, and small differences in each can change both the tariff line and whether the roll suits your converter.
How is non-woven fabric classified for customs?
Most non-woven fabric falls under heading 5603 of the Harmonized System, which is shared by almost every customs authority. Inside that heading, the split depends on the weight per square metre and on whether the fabric is impregnated, coated or laminated.
The first six digits are international. Each country adds its own digits and its own duty line. In the US, the full ten-digit number comes from the Harmonized Tariff Schedule published by the US International Trade Commission. Check the current line and rate there, or ask your customs broker, because tariff measures on Indian goods have changed in recent years.
Misclassification is the usual cause of surprise duty bills. Give your broker the GSM, the process (spunbond, meltblown, needle-punched), any lamination or coating, and the end use. Our guide to spunbond, meltblown and needle-punched non-wovens explains why the process matters.
What do you need to bring non-woven rolls into the US?
The importer of record is legally responsible for the entry. That is usually you or your US company, working through a licensed customs broker. The standard pieces are:
- A continuous or single-entry customs bond, arranged through your broker.
- A commercial invoice and packing list that describe the goods precisely, with GSM, width, roll count and weights.
- A bill of lading, and for ocean freight an Importer Security Filing lodged before the goods are loaded.
- A country of origin statement. Rolls are bulk industrial goods, so the origin is shown on the packaging and the documents.
If the fabric is meant for a regulated use, such as medical or food-contact products, a separate regime applies. Confirm with the relevant US agency or your broker before you order. For the full paperwork set, see the document pack your broker will ask for.
How do importers in Asia differ?
Asia is not one market. Each country sets its own tariff lines, import licensing, and technical standards, and several have free trade agreements with India that may lower duty if you can prove origin. Ask your local broker whether a preferential certificate of origin applies to heading 5603 and what the origin rule is.
Buyer concerns tend to repeat across the region. Converters and bag makers want a stable GSM across the roll, consistent width, and the same colour from lot to lot. Some also ask for a hydrophilic or anti-static treatment, or UV stabilisation for agricultural cover. State each of these in the order, not in a later email.
What should the specification contain?
A roll spec protects both sides. Write down the GSM and its allowed tolerance, the roll width and length, the core diameter, the colour, the treatment and the test methods. The GSM ranges Indian plants can supply will help you choose realistic numbers.
Also settle how the rolls are packed. Wrapped rolls, pallets and loading plans differ by plant, and they affect how many fit in a container. Our guide to packing and shipping from India covers the general approach for polypropylene products.
Next step
We find and audit non-woven plants, check samples and documents, have lots tested, and supervise production and loading. Tell us your market and end use, and we will tell you what to confirm with your broker before you order. Book a free sourcing review, or see textiles on our sourcing page.