Importing guide · China to UK
Importing T-shirts from China to the UK
T-shirts are simple to make and easy to cut corners on: fibre content and fabric weight are the usual swaps.
Rates checked against the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026. Your exact product may fall under a different code: check it before you order.
What to watch
- State the fibre content and the fabric weight (g/m²) in the specification, and have a sample tested.
- The fibre label is a legal requirement: a wrong label is your problem as the seller.
- Check the size measurements on a sample of each size, before and after washing.
The UK rules
General Product Safety Regulations 2005
General product safety
- Supply only products that are safe in normal and foreseeable use.
- Give users the warnings and instructions they need, in English.
- Act if a product turns out to be unsafe, including telling the authorities.
Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations 2012
Textile labelling
- Label the fibre content, including any fur or other animal parts.
Work it out for your order
- Landed-cost calculatorSet up for code 6109 10 00 10: add your price, quantity and freight.
- Price checkIs a quote too cheap? Compare it with what UK importers declare per kilo.
- Product rules checkerThe rules above, with a checklist to print and send to the supplier.
- Quote comparerCompare suppliers by landed cost.
- Spec sheet and AQLPut the quality standard in writing, with the inspection sample size.
Questions about importing T-shirts
What is the import duty on T-shirts from China?
Goods from China under commodity code 6109 10 00 10 pay 12% customs duty, with no anti-dumping duty, and 20% import VAT on top. Checked against the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026.
What rules apply to T-shirts imported into the UK?
General product safety, Textile labelling. As the importer you are responsible for making sure the T-shirts meet them before they go on sale.
How much does the UK import from China under this code?
£45.5m in the 12 months to July 2026, under the 8-digit code 61091000 (t-shirts, singlets and other vests of cotton, knitted or crocheted), according to HMRC’s overseas trade statistics.
Importing T-shirts?
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