For most products, the FTC says an unqualified "Made in USA" claim means the product is all or virtually all made in the United States. That includes final assembly or processing in the US, all significant processing in the US, and all or virtually all components made and sourced in the US. For a tee, the knitted fabric is a significant part of the product, so a tee sewn in the US from imported fabric generally would not qualify for an unqualified claim.

Textile labels have their own rule

Textile products are also covered by the Textile Act and the FTC's Textile Rules, 16 CFR Part 303. The FTC's textile labelling guide explains that a product made in the US of imported materials should be labelled to show both, for example "Made in USA of imported fabric" or similar wording. That label tells customers where the garment was made and that a key material came from abroad.

Online and marketing claims

The Made in USA Labeling Rule, 16 CFR Part 323, covers labels, including those shown in online listings, and allows civil penalties for violations. Avoid using "Made in USA" without qualification in product names, images or ads, and keep product page wording consistent with the label. Qualified phrases such as "Sewn in the USA from imported fabric" are clearer for customers.

What you need to support it

Keep records of where each stage happens: knitting, dyeing, cutting, sewing and finishing, and where trims come from. Supplier declarations and invoices help show the claim is true. If sourcing changes, review the label and claims at once.

If you want an unqualified claim

Sourcing fabric knitted and finished in the US, along with the yarn and most trims, would move you closer to an unqualified claim. Map each component and ask whether any foreign content is more than negligible.

Practical wording

Agree a single wording for labels, tags and the website, approved by whoever is responsible for compliance, and keep it in your label library.

A clear, qualified origin statement still carries value for customers who care where clothing is made. If you sell outside the US, check the origin and labelling rules of each destination market separately, since they do not follow the FTC standard.