Trade partner
U.S. Imports
$6.8M
August 2026
U.S. Exports
$32K
August 2026
Trade deficit
$6.7M
August 2026 · U.S. imports more than it exports
In August 2026 the United States imported $6.8M from Lesotho and exported $32K to it, across 38 imported product categories.
Over the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $140.3M from Lesotho and exported $2.2M to it. U.S. goods imports from Lesotho of $6.8M in August 2026 ran 46% below the year-to-date monthly average of $12.6M.
Entirely surrounded by South Africa, Lesotho has developed a notable apparel and textile manufacturing sector that directs a significant share of its exports to the US market. Its geographic enclave status means virtually all trade flows through South African ports and road networks, creating a distinctive supply-chain dependency. Trade professionals should verify current preference program eligibility and rules-of-origin compliance when classifying Lesotho-origin textile and apparel shipments.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Lesotho has invested heavily in garment manufacturing, making it one of sub-Saharan Africa's more significant apparel exporters to the US. Buyers in the textile and apparel industry have historically sourced from Lesotho to take advantage of its manufacturing capacity and trade program eligibility, though importers should confirm current program status and rules-of-origin requirements with a licensed customs broker.
Because Lesotho is completely surrounded by South Africa, all goods must transit South African territory to reach international ports. This means South African customs procedures, road infrastructure, and port congestion at Durban or other South African gateways directly affect shipment timelines and documentation for Lesotho-origin cargo.
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Annual data from BEA | 2025
Services Exports
$22.0M
Services Imports
$10.0M
The top U.S. imports from Lesotho are Men's & Boys' Cotton Trousers, Women's & Girls' Knitted Trousers and Men's & Boys' Knitted Manmade Fiber Shirts, by value in the latest month.
| Rank | Product | Import value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.5M | |
| 2 | $2.0M | |
| 3 | $718K | |
| 4 | $650K | |
| 5 | US-Origin Articles Exported & Returned Without AdvancementChapter 98 · Special Classification Provisions | $221K |
| 6 | Estimated Imports of Low-Valued TransactionsChapter 99 · Special Import Reporting Provisions | $184K |
| 7 | $116K | |
| 8 | $107K | |
| 9 | $99K | |
| 10 | $90K |
| Rank | Product | Export value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Donated Medicinal & Pharmaceutical ProductsChapter 98 · Special Classification Provisions | $31K |
| 2 | Low-Value Export Shipments & Canadian Estimated Late Receipts | $522 |
| 3 |
| $0 |
| 4 | $0 |
| 5 | $0 |
| 6 | $0 |
| 7 | $0 |
| 8 | $0 |
| 9 | $0 |
| 10 | $0 |