Importing guide · China to UK
Importing trainers and sports shoes from China to the UK
Footwear must be labelled with what the upper, the lining and the sole are made of, and the materials are easy to swap.
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
- Label the material that makes up 80% of the upper, the lining and sock, and the outer sole.
- Put the materials for each part in the specification and check them on a sample.
- Check the sizes against UK sizing on samples of each size.
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.
Footwear labelling rules
Footwear labelling
- Label the material that makes up 80% of the upper, the lining and sock, and the outer sole; where several are used, the 2 main ones.
Work it out for your order
- Landed-cost calculatorSet up for code 6404 11 00 00: 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 trainers and sports shoes
What is the import duty on trainers and sports shoes from China?
Goods from China under commodity code 6404 11 00 00 pay 16% 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 trainers and sports shoes imported into the UK?
General product safety, Footwear labelling. As the importer you are responsible for making sure the trainers and sports shoes meet them before they go on sale.
How much does the UK import from China under this code?
£46.3m in the 12 months to July 2026, under the 8-digit code 64041100 (sports footwear, incl. tennis shoes, basketball shoes, gym shoes, training shoes and the like, with outer soles of rubber or plastics and uppers of textile materials), according to HMRC’s overseas trade statistics.
Importing trainers and sports shoes?
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