Sourcing knitted football jerseys from China
Knitted football jerseys from China falling within heading 6109 carry a flat 12% UK duty across the supplied lines. Fibre content must be labelled. Confirm construction and composition, then agree team colours, sizing and wash checks for badges and player names. Cambridge China Bridge sources knitted football jerseys.
Football jersey duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, all supplied lines carry 12% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension recorded. Heading 6109 covers knitted or crocheted T-shirts, singlets and other vests. This guide covers football jerseys fitting those descriptions; a football shirt's intended use alone does not establish its code.
The tariff attaches CITES import and export controls to 6109 90 20 00 and 6109 90 90 00. For CITES-listed species materials, permit requirements apply and UK Border Force checks and endorses documents. Confirm the requirements for any proposed animal or plant material with your customs broker before ordering from China. The supplied cotton lines have no attached controls.
Confirm fabric composition, neckline and garment construction through finding your commodity code. Polyester jerseys sit within the man-made-fibre description; the other rows cover material alternatives subject to classification. Collared shirts may belong elsewhere. For related garments within the wider heading, see knitted basketball jerseys.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton football jerseys of T-shirt construction | 6109 10 00 10 | 12% | None |
| Other cotton football tops within this heading | 6109 10 00 90 | 12% | None |
| Football jerseys of man-made fibres, wool or fine animal hair | 6109 90 20 00 | 12% | None |
| Football jerseys of other textile materials | 6109 90 90 00 | 12% | None |
Specify the fabric, team colours and decoration
Specify fibre composition, knit structure, fabric weight, mesh panels, neckline, sleeve shape and measurements across the size range. Agree fit on a finished sample, including movement through the shoulders. Record whether team colours and patterns are printed into the fabric or applied to the finished garment. For lacrosse teamwear, see our knitted lacrosse jersey sourcing guide.
Approve a decorated sample showing the crest, sponsor artwork, player name and number in their agreed positions. Check the personalised order list against the artwork before production. Agree wash conditions and acceptance criteria for colour transfer, dimensional change and decoration adhesion.
Fibre content must be labelled. Match the label to the actual fabric and supporting test results. Importers and sellers are responsible for consumer product safety. For children's jerseys, include neck openings, loose trims and attached badges in the safety review; discuss suitable checks through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2,000 knitted polyester football 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 and colour: compare fabric weight, mesh construction, opacity and team shades with the approved sample; compare panels and garments across cartons.
Fit and seams: measure chest, body length and sleeves against the size chart; check neckline recovery, underarm seams, skipped stitches and puckering during quality inspection.
Decoration: reconcile names and numbers with the order list; check crest position, sponsor alignment and adhesion after the agreed wash checks.
Labels and packing: reconcile fibre labels, garment sizes and carton quantities with the specification and packing list; check that personalised shirts reach the correct packs.
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What goes wrong
Team shades can differ between body fabric, mesh panels and replacement batches. Stretching may expose pale areas in printed fabric, while heat-applied names can lift or draw dye from the jersey underneath. Assess the finished decorated sample after washing and stretching, rather than approving artwork alone.
Correct total quantities can conceal wrong player names or an unsuitable size mix. Inspect against the personalised order list and compare garments from different cartons. Keep an approved finished sample and record any agreed changes before bulk production.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on knitted football jerseys from China?
The supplied heading 6109 lines all carry 12% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension recorded. Confirm that the jersey fits the selected line.
Which commodity code covers polyester football jerseys?
Within heading 6109, 6109 90 20 00 covers man-made fibres, wool and fine animal hair. Confirm the jersey's construction and composition before using it; collared shirts may belong elsewhere.
Do knitted football jerseys need fibre labels?
Yes. Fibre content must be labelled. Check that the declared composition matches the jersey fabric and supporting test results.
How do I check printed player names and numbers?
Compare each sampled shirt with the personalised order list and approved artwork. Check spelling, number, position and size, then wash samples to assess lifting, cracking and dye transfer.