This page is a maintained quick-reference for the US import duty on bags and leather goods in 2026 — the rate by country of origin, the base HTS-4202 duty by bag type and material, and a worked landed-cost example. It pulls the numbers our sourcing team tracks into one place so you can sanity-check a tariff figure fast. For the full mechanics behind any number, follow the linked deep-dives.
Last verified: 13 August 2026. Rates reflect the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule (2026) plus the Section 301 forced-labor action that took effect 24 July 2026 (Federal Register, 28 July 2026). Trade measures change frequently — confirm your product’s classification and current rates with a licensed customs broker before making sourcing or pricing decisions.
US tariff on bags by country of origin (2026)
Since 24 July 2026, a Section 301 “forced-labor” surcharge applies on top of the normal (MFN) duty, at a rate that depends on the country of origin. For a bag, your landed duty is base HTS-4202 rate + this surcharge + any country-specific Section 301.
| Origin | Section 301 forced-labor rate | Other US duties stacked on top |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | 10% | Base MFN only |
| Vietnam | 12.5% | Base MFN only |
| Cambodia | 10% | Base MFN only |
| India | 10% | Base MFN only |
| Indonesia | 10% | Base MFN only |
| China | 12.5% | Base MFN + existing China Section 301 of 7.5–25% |
The forced-labor action set two tiers across 60 economies: a 10% tier (17 economies — including Malaysia, Cambodia, India, Indonesia and Bangladesh) and a 12.5% tier (the remaining 38 — including China, Vietnam, Brazil and Russia). Some imports are exempt — USMCA-qualifying goods, CAFTA-DR textiles, and 471 specific tariff lines USTR carved out after public comment. The notice also directs tariff-rate quotas, when feasible, for Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia tied to each country’s purchases of US cotton and textiles. This is why Malaysia is currently the lowest-tariff bag-manufacturing origin in Southeast Asia — see our Malaysia vs Vietnam tariff breakdown.
Base US import duty on bags (HTS 4202), by type & material
Every bag enters the US under heading 4202. The base (General / Column 1 MFN) rate is set mostly by the outer-surface material — and synthetic (man-made fibre) is consistently the most expensive. These are the base rates before the origin surcharges in the table above. For the full classification logic and traps, see our HTS 4202 duty guide.
| Product & material | HTS subheading | General rate |
|---|---|---|
| Handbag, leather, valued over $20 | 4202.21.90 | 9% |
| Handbag, leather, valued $20 or under | 4202.21.60 | 10% |
| Handbag, reptile leather | 4202.21.30 | 5.3% |
| Handbag, plastic sheeting outer surface | 4202.22.15 | 16% |
| Handbag, textile — cotton | 4202.22.45 | 6.3% |
| Handbag, textile — other vegetable fibre | 4202.22.60 | 5.7% |
| Handbag, textile — man-made fibre | 4202.22.81 | 17.6% |
| Backpack / travel / sports bag, man-made fibre | 4202.92.31 | 17.6% |
| Travel / sports bag, textile — cotton | 4202.92.15 | 6.3% |
| Travel / sports bag, textile — other vegetable fibre | 4202.92.20 | 5.7% |
| Travel / sports bag, leather (golf, sports) | 4202.91.90 | 4.5% |
| Luggage / suitcase, leather | 4202.11.00 | 8% |
| Luggage / suitcase, man-made fibre | 4202.12.81 | 17.6% |
| Wallet / pocket article, leather | 4202.31.60 | 8% |
| Wallet / pocket article, man-made fibre | 4202.32.93 | 17.6% |
Rates are General (Column 1) duty for the listed subheadings; your exact 10-digit classification and rate come from CBP. The forced-labor and country Section 301 surcharges above stack on these figures.
The synthetic-material penalty
Because rate is driven by outer-surface material, two bags that look identical can carry very different duty. A cotton canvas tote is 6.3%; the same tote in polyester is 17.6% — an 11.3-point gap before any origin surcharge. On a real order that difference is often larger than the freight bill, which is why material choice is a duty decision, not just a design one. It’s one of the first things we model on an RFQ.
Worked example: duty on 1,000 polyester totes ($12 each) by origin
A 1,000-unit order of man-made-fibre totes (HTS 4202.92.31, 17.6% base) at $12 landed value = $12,000 dutiable. Here is how the duty stacks by origin under the current rules:
| Origin | Base duty (17.6%) | China 301 | Forced-labor 301 | Approx. total duty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | $2,112 | +25%* → $3,000 | +12.5% → $1,500 | ≈ $6,612 |
| Vietnam | $2,112 | — | +12.5% → $1,500 | ≈ $3,612 |
| Malaysia | $2,112 | — | +10% → $1,200 | ≈ $3,312 |
*Illustrative. The China Section 301 rate varies by product list (7.5–25%); 25% is used here as a representative upper-band figure. Figures are duty only (excludes MPF/HMF, freight and insurance) and are for illustration — confirm your specific rates with a licensed customs broker. The takeaway is the ordering: both Southeast Asian origins land far below China, and Malaysia edges Vietnam by the 2.5-point forced-labor gap.
Which chapter is my product? Bags vs apparel vs footwear
If you import more than bags, note that each category sits in a different chapter of the tariff schedule with its own rules. Bags are Chapter 42; the material-penalty logic repeats across all three. For the full cross-category classification guide, see HS codes for fashion imports.
| Chapter | Covers | Example products |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | Leather goods, bags, cases | Handbags, backpacks, wallets, luggage |
| 61 | Apparel, knitted or crocheted | T-shirts, hoodies, knit dresses, leggings |
| 62 | Apparel, woven (not knitted) | Woven shirts, jeans, jackets, tailoring |
| 64 | Footwear | Sneakers, boots, sandals, heels |
Sources & how to cite this page
You’re welcome to cite or link this page. Suggested citation: “2026 Bag Import Tariff Rates, Bagsource SEA, bagsourcesea.com, verified 13 August 2026.” Primary sources:
- Office of the US Trade Representative — USTR Takes Action in Forced Labor Section 301 Investigations (23 July 2026).
- Federal Register — Notice of Actions in Section 301 Investigations… Forced Labor (doc. 2026-15181, 28 July 2026).
- US International Trade Commission — Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (2026; Chapter 42 covers heading 4202).
- US Customs and Border Protection — CROSS rulings database (binding classification authority).
Duty rates and trade measures change frequently. This page is a reference, not customs or legal advice — confirm your product’s classification and current rates with a licensed customs broker before making sourcing or pricing decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current US import tariff on bags from Vietnam?
As of August 2026, bags from Vietnam carry the base HTS-4202 duty (roughly 4.5–17.6% depending on type and material) plus the 12.5% Section 301 forced-labor surcharge that took effect 24 July 2026. There is no additional country Section 301 on Vietnam, unlike China. Confirm your exact 10-digit rate with a broker.
What is the tariff on bags from Malaysia?
Malaysia sits in the 10% forced-labor tier — the lowest in Southeast Asia — on top of the base HTS-4202 rate, with no extra country Section 301. That 2.5-point edge over Vietnam makes Malaysia the current lowest-tariff bag origin in the region. See our Malaysia sourcing breakdown.
Do the July 2026 forced-labor tariffs apply to handbags and leather goods?
The Section 301 forced-labor action applies broadly across the tariff schedule by country of origin, which includes Chapter 42 bags and leather goods. The precise product scope is set by the Federal Register notice and its annexes — confirm your specific HTS code’s treatment with a licensed customs broker.
How is the duty on a bag calculated?
Base HTS-4202 rate (set mainly by outer-surface material) × customs value, plus the country-of-origin forced-labor surcharge (10% or 12.5%), plus any country-specific Section 301 (China only). Our HTS 4202 guide walks through the full calculation and the classification traps.
Is it cheaper to import bags from Vietnam or Malaysia?
On tariff alone, Malaysia (10%) is marginally cheaper than Vietnam (12.5%) — about $300 on a $12,000 order. But tariff is one line in landed cost; capacity, MOQ, lead time and material capability often matter more. Both sit far below China. We help buyers weigh the full picture on an RFQ.
Want the duty modelled for your actual bag?
Bagsource SEA is a bag sourcing company connecting US, EU and Middle East buyers with verified bag manufacturers in Vietnam and Malaysia — and we model the duty impact of material and origin before you commit to a factory, so the tariff bill never surprises you.