US raw cotton TRQs set a lower in-quota duty rate up to a specified volume; imports above that threshold face a significantly higher over-quota rate. Quota fill levels are tracked by USDA and CBP, so importers should monitor quota availability and time shipments accordingly to avoid unexpected duty exposure.

USDA APHIS enforces regulations targeting boll weevil and pink bollworm, which may require treatment, certification, or restricted entry conditions depending on the country of origin. Importers must obtain the appropriate phytosanitary documentation and confirm that the origin country's cotton meets current APHIS admissibility conditions before shipping.