How to Import Custom Clothing to the UK: Step-by-Step Checklist

How to import custom clothing to the UK: get a GB EORI number, classify each garment with a 10-digit commodity code, budget duty (12% for cotton knit T-shirts from China) plus 20% import VAT for most adult clothing, and use a broker for the declaration. Allow 2–3 days for clearance and 5–7 weeks for ocean freight.

Importing custom clothing into the UK is manageable once you know the sequence: register, classify, value, declare, pay and comply with product rules. This checklist walks through each step for goods produced overseas, using China-made garments as the main example. It covers Great Britain; Northern Ireland follows different arrangements in some areas. Rates and rules change, so check the UK Integrated Online Tariff and GOV.UK guidance, and use a customs broker for your first shipments. This is general information, not tax or legal advice.

Step 1: Are you registered to import?

• [ ] EORI number: apply on GOV.UK for an Economic Operator Registration and Identification number starting with GB. Without it, goods cannot clear customs in your name.
• [ ] VAT registration (if applicable): VAT-registered importers can usually reclaim import VAT and use postponed VAT accounting.
• [ ] Decide who is the importer: you, your customs broker as your representative, or the supplier under DDP terms. Our FOB vs DDP pricing guide explains the trade-offs.
• [ ] Appoint a customs broker or freight forwarder to submit declarations through the Customs Declaration Service.

Step 2: How do you classify each garment?

Every product needs a 10-digit commodity code. Classification depends on:

• Knitted or woven (chapter 61 or 62).
• Garment type (T-shirt, sweatshirt, trousers, shirt).
• Main fiber by weight (cotton, synthetic, wool).
• Gender or specific features for some codes.

Example: cotton knit T-shirts fall under 6109 1000 10, where the UK Global Tariff lists a 12% third-country duty. Many other knitted garments also carry 12%, but confirm each code on the online tariff tool. China does not have a preferential trade agreement rate for these goods, so third-country rates apply.

Step 3: How is customs value calculated?

• [ ] Customs value is generally based on the transaction value plus freight and insurance to the UK border, so duty is charged on more than the factory price.
• [ ] Include any assists you provide, such as artwork, molds or materials supplied free to the factory.
• [ ] Keep a clear commercial invoice with unit prices, quantities, descriptions, fiber content, commodity codes and origin.
• [ ] Hold the packing list and transport documents (bill of lading or air waybill).

Step 4: What duties and taxes will you pay?

1. Customs duty: customs value × duty rate for the commodity code.
2. Import VAT: 20% on customs value plus duty and certain costs for most adult clothing. Children's clothing can be zero-rated if size and design conditions are met.
3. Broker and handling fees: set by your broker and carrier.

Illustrative example (not a quote): a shipment of cotton tees with an assumed customs value of £4,000 including freight and insurance would pay about £480 duty at 12%. Import VAT at 20% would be about £896 on £4,480. A VAT-registered importer using postponed VAT accounting would declare and reclaim that VAT on its VAT return rather than paying it at the border.

Step 5: How do you submit the declaration?

• [ ] Your broker submits an import declaration with commodity codes, values, origin and your EORI.
• [ ] Choose how VAT is handled: postponed VAT accounting or payment at the border.
• [ ] Pay duty through your broker's deferment account or your own.
• [ ] Keep records of declarations and supporting documents; HMRC can check them later.

Step 6: Which product rules apply to clothing?

• [ ] Fiber composition labeling: clothing sold in the UK must show fiber content using permitted names under the Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations. See our care label and fiber content compliance guide.
• [ ] Care labels: not legally required, but retailers and customers expect them; use standard care symbols.
• [ ] General product safety: products must be safe under UK general product safety rules.
• [ ] Children's items: drawstrings on children's upper outerwear and nightwear flammability rules need specific attention.
• [ ] Chemicals: UK REACH restrictions apply to substances in articles, such as certain azo dyes.
• [ ] Origin claims: "Made in" labels are not generally mandatory for clothing, but any origin claim must be accurate. Our country of origin documentation guide covers the paperwork.

Ready to compare a real quote? Our team prices imported tees and hoodies line by line, with fabric, sewing, decoration and packing shown separately. Request a quote or browse the apparel importer programs page.

Step 7: What about low-value shipments?

For consignments of £135 or less, VAT is generally collected at the point of sale by the seller or online marketplace rather than at the border, and a customs duty relief currently applies. The government has announced it will remove that duty relief and replace it with new arrangements, with a published deadline no later than 2029. Brands shipping individual orders from overseas should watch GOV.UK updates. Bulk imports of custom clothing above £135 are not affected by the relief.

Step 8: Which shipping mode should you choose?

• Ocean freight: the lowest cost per unit for bulk; plan for several weeks in transit plus port handling.
• Air freight: for launches, samples and urgent replenishment.
• Rail freight from China: an option some forwarders offer to Europe with onward delivery to the UK; ask about current routes and reliability.

What are common mistakes on first UK imports?

• Using a generic commodity code such as "clothing" rather than a 10-digit code per garment.
• Forgetting that duty is charged on freight and insurance too.
• Missing fiber composition labels, which retailers will reject.
• Not deciding who is the importer, causing delays at the border.
• Budgeting import VAT as a cost when, if VAT-registered, it can usually be reclaimed.

For other budget items, see our hidden costs when sourcing clothing from China.

How long does a first UK import take end to end?

A typical first custom order from China moves through development and samples (two to six weeks), bulk production (often 30–50 days after approval), export booking (about a week), transit (5–7 weeks by sea or 3–7 days by air) and clearance (1–3 days with complete documents). Send your broker the commercial invoice and packing list before the goods arrive so classification questions are solved early.

Courier vs freight forwarder for UK clothing imports: comparing the options

The way your goods travel also decides who handles customs for you, so compare the two common routes before booking.

There's no single right answer. Many brands use couriers for samples and a forwarder for production orders, and confirm duty and VAT treatment with their broker for each route.

How to import custom clothing to the UK: typical specs and key numbers

These are typical industry estimate ranges for planning, not quotes; confirm actual figures with your supplier for your fabric, quantity and destination.

Key takeaways

• Register for a GB EORI number and decide who acts as importer before production ends.
• Classify each garment with a 10-digit code; cotton knit T-shirts from China pay 12% duty.
• Most adult clothing pays 20% import VAT, often handled through postponed VAT accounting.
• Fiber composition labeling is mandatory; care labels are expected.
• Watch for the planned removal of the £135 duty relief if you ship individual parcels.

Plan your UK import with a manufacturer

Weavnora produces custom tees, hoodies and sets with UK-ready fiber and care labels and complete commercial invoices. See our apparel importer services, then contact us with your styles and quantities.

Next step: send your brief through the Weavnora RFQ form. We reply with a quotation and sampling plan for imported tees and hoodies, and you can review the apparel importer programs page in the meantime.