How to get an RN Number for your clothing brand.

What is an RN number?

An RN number (Registered Identification Number) is a unique identifier the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issues to businesses that manufacture, import, distribute, or sell textile, wool, or fur products in the United States. It's a short code — usually 5–6 digits — that goes on the garment's care/content label in place of the company's full legal name.

The label rule (16 CFR Part 303) requires every garment sold in the US to identify the company responsible for it. You can print your full legal name, or you can print RN # followed by your number. Nearly every established brand uses the RN — it's cleaner, saves label space, and keeps your legal entity name off the garment.

Who needs an RN number?

• US-based clothing brands selling their own private-label garments.
• Importers bringing finished apparel into the US market.
• Distributors and wholesalers whose name appears on the garment.
• Sellers on Amazon, Shopify, Etsy — anywhere physical apparel changes hands in the US.

International brands (including manufacturers like us in Pakistan) cannot get an RN. If you're a non-US brand selling into the US, your US importer of record or US-registered brand entity uses their name or RN — not the overseas factory.

Is an RN number legally required?

The label identifier is required. The RN itself is optional — you can always print your full legal company name instead. In practice, almost every serious brand gets an RN because:

• It's free and takes minutes to issue.
• It's shorter than "Acme Streetwear Holdings LLC" on a woven label.
• It hides your legal entity from competitors doing due diligence.
• It signals you're a registered US business — retailers and buyers notice.

How to apply for an RN number (step by step)

1. Go to the FTC's official RN application portal: rn.ftc.gov. This is the only official source — never pay a third-party service to file for you.
2. Click "Apply for a new RN" and confirm your business is US-based.
3. Enter your legal business name exactly as registered (LLC, Inc., DBA, or sole proprietor). The FTC verifies this — mismatches get rejected.
4. Provide your US business address, phone number, and email. A PO Box alone will not be accepted; use a physical street address.
5. Select the product category (textile, wool, or fur). Most apparel brands select textile.
6. Submit. Your RN number appears instantly on the confirmation screen and by email. Save both.

Total time: about 10 minutes. Cost: $0. There's no annual renewal — RNs stay valid as long as your business info stays accurate.

How to use your RN number on garment labels

Once issued, your RN goes on the care/content label — the woven or printed label sewn into the neck, side seam, or waistband. The FTC requires it to be:

• Legible and permanent for the life of the garment.
• Formatted as "RN #12345" or "RN 12345" — no other prefix.
• Accompanied by fiber content (e.g. "100% Cotton"), country of origin (e.g. "Made in Pakistan"), and care instructions (wash symbols or plain text).

A good manufacturing partner will build the label layout with you and confirm every legal field is on there before production. If you're producing with Fateh Wear, we handle woven-label sourcing and printing as part of your order — you send us the RN and content spec, we produce the label.

Keeping your RN number current

If your business name, address, or contact info changes, update your RN record on the same FTC portal. An outdated RN can cause customs delays, retailer rejections, and, in edge cases, FTC enforcement letters. Update within 30 days of any change.

Common mistakes founders make

• Paying a third party to file — the FTC application is free and instant.
• Registering under a personal name instead of the LLC — creates label mismatch risk.
• Missing the fiber content or country of origin — RN alone isn't enough; the label needs all three fields.
• Reusing another brand's RN — every RN is tied to one legal entity; sharing is a violation.
• Not updating after moving offices — customs uses the RN record to verify importers.

Quick FAQ

Is an RN number required to sell clothing in the US?

No — you can use your full legal company name on the label instead. But almost every brand gets one because it's free and looks cleaner.

How much does an RN number cost?

Free. The FTC does not charge for issuing or maintaining an RN.

How long does it take?

The RN is issued instantly on the confirmation screen after you submit.

Can non-US brands get an RN number?

No. RNs are only issued to businesses residing in the United States. International brands sell under a US importer's or US brand entity's name.

Do I need a WPL number too?

WPL numbers were the old pre-1998 identifier for wool products. They're still valid if you have one, but new applications now issue RN numbers only.

Once you have your RN, what's next?

Getting the RN is a 10-minute compliance step. The real work is producing garments worth putting your brand name on. Once your RN is issued, you're ready to spec your first drop with a manufacturer — woven labels, hangtags, packaging, and production all get built around it.