Made in USA is a regulated claim, not a marketing flourish. The Federal Trade Commission enforces it, and California has its own standard, so brands producing here should understand both.
The federal standard
An unqualified Made in USA claim generally requires that the product be all or virtually all made in the United States. For apparel that includes consideration of where the fabric was formed, not only where the garment was sewn.
Qualified claims
If some inputs are imported, a qualified claim can be accurate and lawful. Phrases such as made in Los Angeles from imported fabric describe the reality and avoid overstating it.
What has to be on the label
- Fibre content by percentage
- Country of origin
- Identity of the manufacturer, importer or dealer
- Care instructions, under the Care Labeling Rule
California adds its own standard
California has historically applied a stricter threshold for Made in USA claims than the federal baseline. If you sell into California, and most brands do, the stricter standard is the one that matters in practice.
Get it right before you print
Labels are cheap to specify and expensive to replace. Confirm your claim before the label order goes out, and keep documentation of where fabric and components originated.