NAICS 31525 covers establishments that both cut and sew garments using their own materials and designs, taking full ownership of the production process. Apparel contractors, classified separately, perform only specific steps (such as sewing or finishing) on materials owned by another party, typically on a fee-for-service basis.

Tracking domestic cut-and-sew output under NAICS 31525 alongside HTS import data helps trade professionals assess the competitive pressure that foreign-made garments place on US producers, particularly when evaluating antidumping petitions, safeguard actions, or sourcing shifts driven by tariff changes.