US fulfillment vs shipping from China: what one T-shirt really costs
As of 2026-10-23 (USITC HTS 2026 Revision 21), for one 180 gsm cotton tee with a front DTF print going to a US buyer, making and shipping it in the US costs $11.50 and arrives in about 4–8 days. Making it in China and shipping it standard costs $16.16, including an estimated $1.86 of import duty, and takes three to four weeks.
One piece to a US buyer
Prices are from our sourcing quotes (checked 2026-10-23, single piece, front print included). Duty on the China shipment is estimated under current rules: knit cotton T-shirt, HTS 6109.10.00, 36.5% total for China, charged on the product price.
| Route | Product | Shipping | Import duty | Total | Production | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Made and shipped in the US | $4.4 | $7.1 | $0.00 | $11.50 | 2 days | 2–5 business days |
| Made in China, standard shipping | $5.1 | $9.2 | $1.86 | $16.16 | 10 days | 8–15 business days |
| Made in China, express | $5.1 | $43.0 | $1.86 | $49.96 | 10 days | 3–7 business days |
The US route is $4.66 cheaper per piece and two to three weeks faster. Going faster from China means express shipping, which costs far more than the shirt.
Several pieces in one order
Each extra piece ships for much less than the first, so the more pieces in one parcel, the lower the shipping per piece.
| Route | 1 piece | 2 pieces | 5 pieces | Per piece at 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Made and shipped in the US | $11.50 | $19.40 | $43.10 | $8.62 |
| Made in China, standard shipping | $16.16 | $27.52 | $61.61 | $12.32 |
| Made in China, express | $49.96 | $66.42 | $115.81 | $23.16 |
Which route to choose
Buyers want it fast, your channel scores shipping and delivery times, or you are testing designs: make it in the US, from one piece, ready in 2 days.
All-over print, special fabrics and other styles only made in China, or buyers outside the US: ship from China, on standard shipping if time allows.
High, steady volume: ship in bulk by sea to a US warehouse and fulfill from there. Duty is then charged on the whole entry; estimate it with the duty calculator.
The rules for small parcels are still changing, so re-check with the de minimis tool for your ship date before you send.
Sources and data date
StoreCalc generated this guide on 2026-10-23 using USITC HTS 2026 Revision 21 and its calculators.
Product and shipping prices are quotes from 2026-10-23 for single pieces; bulk orders are discounted. Duty follows the rules in the de minimis tool; US-made items carry no separate import duty on delivery.
StoreCalc sourcing: prices, lead times and after-sales