Moroccan Home Fabric Mills Pay Low 10 Percent U.S. Export Tariff
October 3, 2025
Graphic depicting Morocco to U.S. with Nabil and Samir Tazi
MIAMI BEACH, FL (USA) — Although there was a free trade agreement (MAFTA) between the USA and Morocco established in 2006, Morocco now faces a 10% U.S. tariff as of April, 2025 on its home furnishings fabrics exports following a Trump administration action.
While many American importers still look elsewhere for imported fabrics, Morocco may be worth a second look due to the lower tariff paid to the USA versus other countries.
Previously, Moroccan mills paid no tariff on home fabric export to the USA.
Still, 10 percent is way less than tariffs paid to the USA from other countries which may be as high as 50 percent under the Trump administration.
One American wholesaler says Moroccan fabric suppliers who produce both curtain and upholstery fabrics are “his secret sauce” for success in the contract/hospitality market.
However, he admits “there is a sluggish hospitality market in the USA.
I thought a major refurbishment of U.S. based hotels would occur in 2023 but I was wrong! It still hasn’t happened yet. US based hospitality designers are looking hard for work these days,” he adds.
Under MAFTA, the trade agreement between Morocco and the USA, US exports grew four times, rising from approximately $1.3 billion in 2006 to $5.5 billion in 2023.
U.S. exports to Morocco in 2024 amounted to $5.3 billion, a 37.3% increase from the previous year. In contrast, U.S. imports from Morocco were $1.9 billion, up 12.3% from 2023; so there is a substantial trade imbalance between the two countries.
Nevertheless, there are many small upholstery fabric mills in Morocco who export fabric to the USA, most notably, P.I.F. (Casablanca based) which is a major residential and contract upholstery fabric exporter. P.I.F. exhibits at Heimtextil and Proposte.
While many American importers still look elsewhere for imported fabrics, Morocco may be worth a second look due to the lower tariff paid to the USA versus other countries.
Previously, Moroccan mills paid no tariff on home fabric export to the USA.
Still, 10 percent is way less than tariffs paid to the USA from other countries which may be as high as 50 percent under the Trump administration.
One American wholesaler says Moroccan fabric suppliers who produce both curtain and upholstery fabrics are “his secret sauce” for success in the contract/hospitality market.
However, he admits “there is a sluggish hospitality market in the USA.
I thought a major refurbishment of U.S. based hotels would occur in 2023 but I was wrong! It still hasn’t happened yet. US based hospitality designers are looking hard for work these days,” he adds.
Under MAFTA, the trade agreement between Morocco and the USA, US exports grew four times, rising from approximately $1.3 billion in 2006 to $5.5 billion in 2023.
U.S. exports to Morocco in 2024 amounted to $5.3 billion, a 37.3% increase from the previous year. In contrast, U.S. imports from Morocco were $1.9 billion, up 12.3% from 2023; so there is a substantial trade imbalance between the two countries.
Nevertheless, there are many small upholstery fabric mills in Morocco who export fabric to the USA, most notably, P.I.F. (Casablanca based) which is a major residential and contract upholstery fabric exporter. P.I.F. exhibits at Heimtextil and Proposte.
