Importing from China
China is by far the world's largest maker and exporter of footwear: trainers, boots, sandals, safety shoes. Buying at source pays off, but footwear carries quirks worth mastering: a history of anti-dumping duties in the EU on certain leather footwear, a mandatory material labelling requirement, REACH obligations (especially chromium VI in leather) and a very real risk of counterfeit brands. Here is how it ships, how it is classified and the critical points so your shipment arrives without surprises.
Footwear is light but bulky (boxes that take up a lot of space for little weight), so volume (CBM) drives the cost. The usual route is sea freight: a full container (FCL) for large store or brand orders, or groupage (LCL) for smaller quantities, sharing a container with other importers.
Air freight only makes sense for samples, urgent restocks or seasonal collections that cannot wait the weeks by sea. Mind the packaging: a sturdy individual box and good palletising keep the footwear from arriving deformed or damp after weeks in a container.
Footwear is classified in tariff chapter 64 (6401–6405), and the exact code depends on the material of the upper and the sole: leather, textile, rubber or plastic are treated differently. The duty on entry into the EU is usually moderate (footwear is among the higher-duty categories, roughly several percentage points depending on type), so confirm the code with your broker. Import VAT is recoverable if you import as a business with your EORI and the declaration is in your name.
To sell it, footwear has its own obligation: material labelling (Directive 94/11/EC), which requires pictograms indicating the material of the upper, lining/insole and sole. As a product in contact with skin, it is also subject to REACH, with particular attention to chromium VI in leather. Ask the supplier for the declarations before shipping.
The EU applied anti-dumping duties on leather footwear from China for years. Although that specific measure expired, the sector has a history, so confirm by code that your footwear is not caught by any measure in force before you buy.
Directive 94/11/EC requires labelling the material of the upper, lining/insole and sole with pictograms. Without this labelling you cannot sell the footwear in the EU; agree it with the supplier from the order stage.
Leather footwear is subject to REACH, with a strict limit on chromium VI (a sensitising substance). Ask the supplier for tests or a declaration of conformity: a breach can block the goods.
Footwear is a classic counterfeit target. Copying brand logos, soles or designs risks seizure and destruction at customs (and penalties). Work with your own design or under licence; never "replicas".
To bring in footwear, the usual choice is sea freight (FCL or groupage). We also handle customs clearance and classifying the code correctly. Unsure about labelling or anti-dumping? Tell us and we will advise you.
Note: duties, anti-dumping measures, REACH and labelling obligations can change and depend on the exact code and destination country. This guide describes the general situation at the time of writing; confirm it with your customs broker before deciding.
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