Sourcing knitted golf sweaters from China

UK duty on knitted golf sweaters

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6110 covers jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar knitted or crocheted articles. Relevant golf sweater lines generally carry 12% duty from China. Code 6110 11 10 00 carries 10% for jerseys and pullovers containing at least 50% wool by weight and weighing 600 g or more per article. The supplied records show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.

The tariff attaches cat and dog fur and seal-product controls, plus CITES controls on some other animal-fibre and textile lines. Cat and dog fur products cannot be imported or exported. For commercial seal products, ask your customs broker to confirm eligibility under the applicable exemption and the required seal catch attestation from the relevant recognised body. For proposed animal materials from China, ask your customs broker to confirm species, origin and applicable documents, including permits or certificates for CITES-listed materials.

Confirm the commodity code from fibre composition, garment construction, intended wearer and weight. A golf label or club logo does not establish which listed description fits the garment. For the wider heading, see knitted cricket sweaters. Use the import duty and VAT guide when reviewing landed costs.

Specify yarn, swing movement and club embroidery

Specify fibre names and proportions, yarn construction, knitting gauge, stitch structure and finished garment weight. Define neckline, shoulder shape, sleeve length, rib construction and any zip opening. Provide a graded measurement chart with agreed tolerances. Approve the sweater worn over the intended golf shirt, checking shoulder rotation, reaching and whether the hem rides up during a swing.

For club embroidery, approve artwork, position, thread shade and backing on the actual knitted fabric. Check that stitching does not pucker the chest or leave stiff backing against the wearer. Agree pilling, colour transfer, wash shrinkage and rib recovery acceptance criteria using finished samples.

For sale in Great Britain, the label must show fibre content, including fur and other animal parts. Put approved fibre wording into the order and compare it with yarn documentation. Agree care wording and retain washed and unwashed approval samples.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 men's cotton knitted golf sweaters; FOB value and freight are illustrative, not a quotation. under 6110 20 91 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

Fit and movement: measure chest, body and sleeves across sizes; check shoulder movement over a golf shirt and recovery of cuffs and hem after stretching.

Knitting and embroidery: inspect dropped stitches, snagging, linked seams and yarn joins; check logo placement, puckering and backing against the approved sample.

Washing and shade: use the agreed care method, then check shrinkage, twisting, pilling and colour transfer; compare body, sleeves and ribs across cartons.

Arrival and labels: inspect for dampness, mould and packing damage; check fibre wording, size markings and colour assortment against the order. Record checks using the inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A sweater can look correct on a hanger but pull across the shoulders during a swing. Tight armholes, short sleeves or a firm hem can restrict movement or expose the shirt underneath. Check movement on the approved sample and repeat it after washing.

Bulk yarn substitutions can change handle, pilling and shrinkage. Embroidery can distort a lightweight knit, while contrasting ribs can transfer colour during washing. Keep sealed samples, require approval of yarn and finishing changes, and compare production garments before shipment and on arrival.

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.