Sourcing knitted basketball jerseys from China

A flat duty across the listed materials

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 6109 covers knitted or crocheted T-shirts, singlets and other vests. This guide focuses on basketball jerseys matching those descriptions. The cotton T-shirt line is relevant only where the actual basketball top has that construction; it is not the default code for a sleeveless jersey. For thermal styles, see our guide to sourcing knitted thermal vests.

All listed lines carry 12% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions recorded. The non-cotton lines have CITES import and export controls attached. If a jersey contains a CITES-listed specimen or derivative, confirm the applicable documents with your customs broker before ordering. Official guidance requires a permit when moving a CITES specimen into or out of Great Britain.

Confirm the commodity code using the finished garment, its construction and fibre composition. For the wider heading, see running vests. Do not select a code solely because the supplier calls the garment a basketball jersey.

Specify mesh, fit and team artwork

Specify the fibre blend, mesh structure, fabric weight, opacity, stretch and lining, if any. Define chest width, body length, armhole depth and neckline shape on a measurement drawing. Approve a fit sample that allows reaching and shooting without the neckline pulling or the armholes exposing more than intended. For cycling-specific fit, see our knitted cycling jersey sourcing guide. For lacrosse teamwear, see our knitted lacrosse jersey sourcing guide.

Agree team colours against a retained fabric sample, and approve player names, numbers and logo positions on each size. Specify sublimation or applied printing rather than leaving the method to the factory. For sale in Great Britain, the label must show fibre content, including fur and other animal parts. For football teamwear, see our knitted football jersey sourcing guide.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2,000 knitted basketball jerseys under 6109 90 20 00, invoiced at £7,000 free on board, with £700 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,700. Duty at 12% is £924. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £8,624, so it is £1,724.80. Import taxes total £2,648.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £924 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Fabric: compare mesh, opacity and shade with the approved sample, including panels cut from different fabric rolls.

Fit and seams: measure against the agreed size chart; check armhole binding, neckline recovery, skipped stitches and seams under stretch.

Artwork: match names and numbers to the order list; inspect print alignment, colour bleed, cracking and lifting after an agreed wash trial.

Arrival: check fibre labels, size assortment, carton contents, dampness and packing marks. Use a written inspection brief so the checks match the approved sample.

What goes wrong

A jersey can match the chest measurement yet fit badly because the armholes are too deep or the shoulder straps too narrow. Weak binding may distort after washing. Compare the washed sample with the measurement drawing before accepting the production method.

Dark fabric can show through light printed numbers, while dye migration can stain applied graphics. Reversible jerseys can also have mismatched inner and outer panels. Approve the actual fabric and decoration together, then check the name and number assortment before packing.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.