How to export Children's clothing from the UK to China
Classify each garment, agree the import route and address China's textile safety standards before shipment. The listed baby-garment tariff lines carry 10% MFN duty; import VAT also affects landed cost. Cambridge China Bridge's own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands.
Match the garments to the import route
For Children's and baby clothing, start with the garment's material and whether it is knitted or crocheted. HS 611120, 611130 and 611190 cover knitted baby garments and accessories; HS 620920, 620930 and 620990 cover non-knitted baby garments and accessories. Have the importer confirm classification for your actual range, including older children's garments. The largest listed UK export line was 61113090, synthetic-fibre knitted baby garments and accessories, at £142k.
HMRC recorded £279k of UK goods exports to mainland China under HS 611120, 611130, 611190, 620920, 620930, 620990 in 2025 (2024: £493k, -43.4%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £376k. January to July 2026: £123k against £150k in the same months of 2025 (-17.9%).
Build duty and VAT into the buyer's price
The listed Chinese baby-garment tariff lines carry a 10% MFN rate. The VAT Law sets the standard import VAT rate at 13%, subject to its exceptions. VAT is calculated on customs value plus customs duty plus consumption tax. The importer's customs broker or adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies to these garments. These border taxes increase landed cost and shape the price the importer can offer.
| Chinese tariff line | Rate |
|---|---|
| 61112000 | 10% |
| 61113000 | 10% |
| 61119010 | 10% |
| 61119090 | 10% |
| 62092000 | 10% |
| 62093000 | 10% |
| 62099010 | 10% |
| 62099090 | 10% |
Address the children's textile safety standards
GB 31701-2015, the safety technical specification for infant and children's textile products, is a current mandatory standard. GB 18401-2010, the national basic safety technical specification for textile products, is also current and mandatory. Give the importer your garment specifications and available safety evidence so it can assess the range against these standards. Agree the applicable requirements and any label work with its customs broker or the relevant authority before preparing stock.
Prepare the UK export declaration
For exports from England, Scotland or Wales, obtain a GB EORI and select the correct commodity code for each garment. The online export declaration needs value, weight, packaging, destination, transport and invoice and packing-list references. Give the carrier the invoice and any required export licences or certificates. Align the declaration details with the importer's classification of the baby garments before dispatch.
Use cross-border retail only for eligible lines
The cross-border e-commerce retail import list includes baby garments under 61112000, 61113000, 61119010, 61119090, 62092000 and 62093000. Confirm the exact Chinese tariff line before choosing this route for a garment; the material and construction determine which listed entry you are considering.
Listed goods entering through bonded 1210 or direct 9610 retail channels are supervised as personal-use articles, without first-import licence, registration or filing requirements, except suspended epidemic-area goods or emergency quality-risk measures. The overseas business retains primary quality and safety responsibility and must appoint a mainland-registered company to register with customs, declare truthfully and share civil liability.
Consumers must accept a risk notice before ordering: origin-country standards may differ from Chinese standards, a Chinese label may be absent with a Chinese electronic label available online, and the goods are for personal use and cannot be resold. The limits are RMB 5,000 per transaction and RMB 26,000 annually per person. This route therefore needs a consumer retail plan for the garments.
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Check the Chinese buyer before committing stock
Ask a prospective importer which garment lines it intends to buy, which Chinese tariff headings it proposes and whether it plans ordinary imports or cross-border retail. Review its handling of textile safety requirements and landed-cost calculations. For cross-border retail, identify the mainland company taking the customs and shared-liability responsibilities.
Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands. If an importer has already approached your brand, our staff in China check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed.
We prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China and check requirements with those partners. The importer of record and any required cross-border e-commerce agent remain licensed partners' roles in China; the brand's own filings remain the brand's. Use our export-to-China service to discuss your clothing range.
Frequently asked questions
Which HS codes apply to baby clothes exported to China?
The supplied baby-garment headings are 611120, 611130, 611190, 620920, 620930 and 620990. Material and knitted or non-knitted construction matter; confirm the exact classification for each garment.
What Chinese duty applies to these baby garments?
The listed Chinese baby-garment tariff lines carry 10% MFN duty. Standard import VAT is 13%, subject to the VAT Law's exceptions. Have the importer assess the resulting landed cost.
Which Chinese safety standards should my children's clothing address?
GB 31701-2015 covers infant and children's textile safety. GB 18401-2010 covers basic textile product safety. Both are current mandatory standards; arrange an assessment of your garment specifications.
Can baby clothes enter China through cross-border e-commerce?
The list includes 61112000, 61113000, 61119010, 61119090, 62092000 and 62093000. Eligible retail imports are for personal use and cannot be resold; the overseas business must appoint a mainland company.