US apparel imports increased by 12.9 per cent increase in quantity and a 2.9 per cent increase in value in Feb 2024 compared to the same month previous year. 

Seasonally adjusted US apparel imports also increased by 10 per cent in February 2024 compared January 2024, according to a report by the World Trade Organisation. 

The import surge was particularly surprising given that the value of US clothing sales in February 2024 was only 1.3 per cent higher than a year ago and even 0.5 per cent lower than in January 2024.

The correlation between US apparel retail sales (NAICS code 4481) and apparel imports remains strong, with over 98 per cent of clothing sold in the US being imported. In 2023, the US clothing sales to clothing import ratio increased to 4.0-4.5, possibly with the rise of e-commerce sales, accounting for about 40 per cent of the US apparel retail sales in 2023.

The increase in imports in February 2024, bringing the sales to import ratio back to 3.8, may indicate a shift in import procedures, with more imports likely entering through standard channels rather than de minimis, due to US customs tightening controls.

Some suggest that the lower US apparel import volume in 2023 was due to retailers managing inventory levels. While there was a slight decrease in the stock-to-sales ratio compared to pre-pandemic levels, it wasn't significant enough to dampen import demand, especially considering apparel's seasonal nature and the importance of stocking new items during critical selling seasons like the fourth quarter.