Importing from China
China is one of the world's largest textile manufacturers, and bringing clothing, fabric or home textiles from source can be very cost-effective. But textiles have their quirks: they are light but bulky (volume drives the cost), they carry mandatory labelling of composition and origin, their dyes and finishes fall under REACH, and some fabrics carry a history of anti-dumping. Here we explain how it ships, which taxes and labels apply and the critical points so your clothing arrives ready to sell.
Clothing and fabric are light but take up volume, so cost is usually driven by volume (CBM). The usual route is sea freight: a full container (FCL) for large orders, or groupage (LCL) for smaller quantities, sharing a container. Well compressed (rolls, garments in flat boxes) textiles use the space efficiently.
Air freight is reserved for samples, urgent replenishments or seasonal collections that cannot wait weeks; for volume it does not pay off. Mind the packaging against moisture (textiles travel for weeks by sea and can pick up mould or stains): polyethylene bags, desiccant and sturdy boxes. Confirm with the supplier whether garments travel on hangers or folded, as it changes the volume.
Textiles are classified as knitted (HS chapter 61), not knitted (chapter 62) or “other made-up textile articles” such as home textiles (chapter 63). The import duty into the EU is among the highest for consumer products (broadly at the higher end, depending on garment and fibre), so it pays to pin down the heading with your broker. Import VAT is recoverable if you import as a business with your EORI and the customs entry is in your name.
To sell in the EU, fibre composition labelling is mandatory (Regulation EU 1007/2011): percentages by fibre, in the country’s language, plus the country of origin and care instructions. In addition, dyes and finishes are subject to REACH (banned azo dyes, limits on substances). These are not “customs papers”, but without correct labelling the product cannot be sold.
The EU requires a fibre composition label (Reg. 1007/2011) with percentages, plus origin and washing instructions. Ask the manufacturer to sew the correct label at the factory: re-labelling at destination is costly and slow.
Certain azo dyes that release specific amines are banned and other substances are capped. Require the supplier to make the fabric REACH-compliant; scrutiny is higher for children’s garments.
Chinese textiles carry a history of quotas and anti-dumping duties on certain fabrics and fibres (e.g. specific synthetic fabrics). Today most clothing does not carry them, but it depends on the exact heading: confirm before you buy.
This is a sector with high risk of trademark infringement and counterfeiting. If a pattern, logo or design resembles a known brand, customs can seize and destroy the goods. Buy your own or licensed designs and keep the documentation.
To move textiles, the usual choice is sea freight (FCL or groupage). We also handle customs clearance and confirming the tariff heading. Any doubts? Tell us and we will advise.
Note: duties, thresholds and regulations (labelling, REACH, anti-dumping, trademarks) can change and depend on the exact garment or fabric and the destination country. This guide describes the general situation as of writing; confirm it with your customs broker before deciding.
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