Thank you for your question and subscription to Power Homebiz Guides newsletter.

The best place to get answers to your questions is right from the authorities themselves. Here is one link that may be of help: http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/ImageCache/cgov/content/publications/
usimportrequirements_2edoc/v2/usimportrequirements.doc 

If the link is too long you may use: http://www.customs.ustreas.gov  and find the link for Import Requirements.

Information on textile, particularly specific import controls, may be obtained from the Commissioner of Customs. Other information concerning the textile program may be obtained from the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Textiles and Apparel, Washington, DC 20230. The Internet address for the Office of Textiles and Apparel. http://otexa.ita.doc.gov/ 

Garment or textile imports/exports are governed by quotas and most if not all the manufacturers in the Philippines usually contract their very limited quotas to big importers and it will be difficult for you to get a permit to import from the Philippines. If you are dealing with a company from the Philippines, you should make sure that they have the quota to spare and will be able to ship without hassles- otherwise you may have problems with the US Customs and your shipment might be impounded. This is something you don't want to happen after you have opened the necessary letters of credit.

On the other hand, if you are only planning to sell a limited volume and you have some good trustworthy contacts in the Philippines, you can actually ship-in one or two small boxes of clothing every now and then via the Post Office or DHL. As long as it is not of commercial quantities, these can be accepted by the US Customs without problems. But, of course, the shipping costs will make your goods more expensive and may not be competitive when you place them on the shelves.

Hope this helps.

Good luck!

About the PowerHomeBiz.com Guide: 

Nach Maravilla is the Publisher of Power Homebiz Guides. He has over thirty years experience in sales and marketing of various products, which covered as he jokingly describes, "from toothpicks to airplanes"  He also had extensive experience in International trading and he always excelled in special promotional ideas for  retail outlets. 

The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, not of PowerHomeBiz.com. Users should not treat the Guide's response as legal, accounting, or professional advice as all answers are intended to be general in nature. Such advice can only be properly given by qualified professionals who are fully aware of a user's specific geographical areas or circumstances, such as an attorney or accountant.