Cotton, Textiles, Apparel and Technical Fabrics from the United States: Export Buying Guide

Buying cotton, textiles, apparel and technical fabrics from the United States starts with a clear specification and an identified receiving market. Wigmore Trading can assess a sourcing or logistics brief and clarify what is needed for a written offer. A guide or product list is not confirmation of stock, supplier appointment or approval to trade a particular item.

Define the requirement before requesting prices

Specify fibre composition, construction, weight, width, finish and intended use. Cotton lint, yarn, non-wovens, technical fabrics, carpets and finished garments are distinct buying categories. Garment orders need size charts, colourways, labelling and quantities by variant; technical fabrics need the functional properties required by the application.

Approve measurable quality criteria

Agree sample standards, tolerances, colour references and the inspection method before production or purchase. For yarn and cotton, define the properties your mill needs rather than relying on a general trade description. For coated and rubberised fabrics, establish coating performance, compatibility and durability requirements. For leather and hides, specify species, tanning, grade and traceability.

Products to distinguish in your enquiry

The following are separate specification lines. Identify the exact product, grade or model and intended use rather than requesting an undifferentiated mixed shipment.

• Raw Cotton
• Non-woven Textiles
• Tanned Equine and Bovine Hides
• Non-Retail Pure Cotton Yarn
• Other Cloth Articles
• Plastic Coated Textile Fabric
• Used Clothing
• Knit T-shirts
• Light Rubberized Knitted Fabric
• Non-Retail Synthetic Filament Yarn
• Textiles for technical uses
• Artificial Filament Tow
• Non-Retail Synthetic Staple Fibers Yarn
• Tufted Carpets
• Non-Knit Women’s Suits

Keep used goods and retail-ready goods separate

Used clothing requires condition, sorting and destination eligibility checks before an offer is accepted. Do not assume a route used for new apparel accepts used textiles. Confirm bale or carton weights, moisture protection, handling and damage procedures. Compare usable yield and accepted quality, not only price per kilogram or per piece.

Compare the full commercial scope

Ask each supplier to quote the same specification, quantity, condition, packing basis and named delivery point. List the currency, quote validity, inspection scope, payment milestones and treatment of non-conforming goods. Request actual packed dimensions and gross weights before comparing freight options.

Keep product price separate from collection, export preparation, freight, insurance, destination charges, duties, storage and final delivery. Identify the party responsible for each stage. Do not pay for a shipment whose destination acceptance or essential technical specification is still unresolved.

Prepare a sourcing brief

Send the specification or catalogue reference, quantity and expected repeat demand, receiving location, required date and any supporting drawings or quality requirements. Say whether the enquiry is for an approved replacement, a new production input or resale. Ask for the manufacturer and origin to be identified; a source-country dispatch address alone does not establish origin.

Use the US sourcing directory to compare related product guides, or the US commercial shipping guide when preparing cargo details.

Reviewed 1 November 2026. Gallery images illustrate procurement and logistics; they do not identify offered stock.