Imported clothing tariffs may reflect a gender bias, as women’s clothing is often subject to higher taxes than men’s items.
A bill proposed by two Democratic representatives aims to examine the so-called “pink tariff,” which involves higher tax rates on imported products classified as women’s goods.
The bill, reintroduced this session by Representatives Lizzie Fletcher of Texas and Brittany Pettersen of Colorado, would direct the Treasury Department to study the effects of these “pink tariffs” and assess whether the tax burden disproportionately affects consumers.
“Before all the tariff debates this year, we’ve had this bill since last year, and unfortunately, women pay more for the products we use,” Pettersen told The 19th. “We’re being taxed on items we rely on… This is about creating equity around tariffs so women don’t have to pay more.”
Imported clothing is categorized by gender according to government textile codes, and the tariffs vary. For example, an importer would pay an 8.5 percent tax on a men’s anorak, while a women’s coat in the same category is taxed at 14 percent. Even items that are eventually labeled as “unisex” in stores are treated as women’s garments by the government, subjected to the same higher tariffs.
In a Republican-controlled Congress, the bill is unlikely to progress to a floor vote or become law. However, as more Americans become aware of how companies pass on higher foreign import costs to consumers, the representatives are urging the government to address the disparity in pricing. President Donald Trump has repeatedly imposed, enacted, and rescinded tariffs this year, particularly on imports from China—a country whose share of U.S. clothing imports has declined over the past decade.
“With President Trump’s tariffs and ongoing trade disputes, it’s more important than ever to understand how higher tariffs will increase costs for everyone, especially women,” Fletcher stated in a news release.
The United States is the world’s largest importer of apparel, accounting for around three-quarters of the country’s total tariff burden. Gender-based tariff disparities create significant price differences, with women’s clothing typically subject to tariffs that are 3 percent higher than those for men’s items.
While companies importing goods pay these tariffs, the cost is often passed on to consumers. However, import taxes are just one factor contributing to price differences, alongside marketing costs and variations in ingredients or product composition.
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