Have your eye on a beautiful fabric but wondering what it’s actually going to cost once it lands at your door? Maybe you’ve asked yourself if duties will pop up at delivery, or what “country of origin” really means. We get it. With recent changes to US import policies (read Heather's message here), shipping can feel a little confusing. That’s why we’ve put together this article, to break down the terms, explain why they matter, and share how we’re working to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible for you.
Customs lingo can sound intimidating. Here are the four key terms you’ll see come up again and again:
Think of this as the international language of trade. It’s a standardized product classification code used by every country to identify goods.
👉 Why it matters for fabric: The HS Code determines how your fabric is treated under trade rules—what tariffs or import restrictions apply.
Fabrics can get surprisingly specific: Oxford cotton will have a different HS Code than cotton canvas, even though both are cotton fabrics. Similarly, woven cotton, knits, or fabrics with blends like wool-cotton each have their own codes. For example, a yarn-dyed cotton gingham would have an HS Code of 5208.49.20: Woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 percent or more by weight of cotton, weighing more than 100 g/m², of yarns of different colours. This level of detail can feel complex, but it’s essential for ensuring customs applies the correct tariffs and duties.
This isn’t where the fabric is shipped from, it’s where it was actually made, manufactured, or substantially transformed.
👉 Why it matters for fabric: The country of origin determines what tariffs or duties apply, whether your fabric qualifies for reduced rates under trade agreements (like CUSMA between Canada, the US, and Mexico), and even how it must be labeled.
Example: A cotton fabric woven in Portugal and imported into the US may face different tariffs than the same fabric woven in China, even if both share the same HS Code.
A tariff is the official schedule of duty rates assigned to goods, based on their HS Code and country of origin.
👉 Why it matters for fabric: Tariff rates can vary depending on trade agreements, disputes, or restrictions.
Example: The US might apply a 0% tariff on cotton fabrics imported from Canada (thanks to CUSMA), but charge 8% on the same cotton fabric from a country without an agreement.
This is the actual fee you pay when your fabric is imported. It’s calculated using the HS code, tariff rate, declared value of the fabric and country of origin.
Example: Import $1,000 of cotton fabric from China at an 8% duty rate → you’ll pay $80 in duty. Import the same $1,000 of fabric from Canada → $0 duty, saving you $80.
HS Code = What kind of fabric it is
Country of Origin = Where the fabric was made
Tariff = The rulebook of rates based on those two
Duty = The final bill you pay
When it comes to shipping your fabrics, we want everything to be as clear and straightforward as possible. That’s where DDP Shipping comes in.
DDP stands for Delivered Duty Paid. In practice, this means we (the seller) take care of everything—shipping, customs clearance, import duties, taxes, and insurance (if applicable). You simply receive your order at your door, fully cleared, without surprises.
👉 Why it matters to you: With DDP, you know exactly what you’ll pay upfront. There are no hidden fees from the carrier, no unexpected delays at customs, and a smoother, more predictable shipping experience overall.
Each product at Core Fabrics has a carefully chosen HS code to accurately describe the fabric and its relevant tariff, and the country of origin is clearly listed on both the product page and all paperwork submitted to customs. Our online store automatically calculates and collects the correct duties at checkout, ensuring your package travels straight to you without hold-ups or unexpected fees.
Also, please note that we can no longer use Canada Post to deliver to U.S. PO Boxes, military bases, or certain remote locations. If this affects your order, we’ll need an alternate shipping address (like a FedEx pickup location for example), as FedEx is currently our only available option. We understand this isn’t ideal and are actively exploring additional solutions. We’ll keep you updated as soon as we have news.
