# Apparel and footwear: Chokepoints and risks

Brands and garment makers selling finished clothing, shoes and accessories to shoppers

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/apparel/risks/

#### Chokepoints and risks

- US duties on Indian goods reached 50% in August 2025, a February 2026 deal set 18% and a later court ruling left a temporary 10% duty, so terms in India's largest apparel market keep shifting^[4](https://www.deccanherald.com/amp/story/business%2F50-us-tariff-on-indian-apparel-exports-could-be-death-knell-for-small-firms-aepc-3670074)^,^[6](https://kpmg.com/us/en/taxnewsflash/news/2026/02/united-states-removes-tariffs-imports-india.html)^,^[7](https://www.newsonair.gov.in/white-house-says-india-to-face-temporary-10-per-cent-tariff-after-new-us-order).
- China makes 55.6% of the world's shoes, so trade measures against China reshape footwear sourcing^[3](https://www.worldfootwear.com/news/246-billion-pairs-global-footwear-production-in-2025/11690.html).
- The EU took 35.8% of world garment imports in 2023, so EU sustainability and due-diligence rules set terms for exporters^[2](https://fibre2fashion.com/news/apparel-news/china-2023-s-top-global-rmg-exporter-bangladesh-2nd-vietnam-3rd-wto-297174-newsdetails.htm).
- Polyester is 59% of fibre supply, tying garment costs to oil and PTA prices^[5](https://textileexchange.org/knowledge-center/reports/materials-market-report-2025/).
- Forced-labour import bans and audit failures can stop shipments from a factory or region overnight.

## Other sections

- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/apparel/index.md)
- [Where ₹100 goes](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/apparel/cost-mix/index.md)
- [Price links with suppliers](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/apparel/price-links/index.md)
- [Example story](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/apparel/story/index.md)
- [Linked industries](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/apparel/linked-industries/index.md)
- [Value chain](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/apparel/value-chain/index.md)
- [Materials drawn on](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/apparel/materials/index.md)
- [Sources](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/apparel/sources/index.md)