Sourcing knitted ice hockey jerseys from China

UK duty on knitted ice hockey jerseys

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6110 covers jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar knitted or crocheted articles. The table lists candidate cotton and man-made fibre lines for knitted ice hockey jerseys. For the wider heading, see knitted cycling jerseys.

The selected lines carry 12% duty for goods from China. The heading ranges from 10% to 12%; the 10% line covers wool 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 duty, countervailing duty or suspensions. Confirm the commodity code using the finished garment's construction, fibre composition and intended wearer.

The tariff attaches cat and dog fur and seal-product controls, with CITES controls on some other animal-hair and textile lines. Cat and dog fur products are banned from import and export. For commercial seal products, confirm any applicable exemption and documentation with the relevant authority or your customs broker. For any animal-derived trim in a China order, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable documents; CITES-listed materials require species and permit checks before ordering.

Specify fit over pads and team artwork

State whether the jersey is for playing or supporter wear. Specify fibre composition, knitted fabric structure, fabric weight, ventilation panels and surface finish. For playing jerseys, approve a sample worn over the intended shoulder and elbow pads. Record chest width, body length, sleeve shape, armhole clearance and neckline dimensions, with agreed tolerances.

Approve team colours, crest placement, player names and back numbers against an artwork proof and a physical sample. Specify whether decoration is sublimated, printed, embroidered or sewn on. Agree seam construction, reinforcement at the underarm and decoration backing so that the inside does not rub against the wearer.

For sale in Great Britain, labels must show fibre content, including any fur or other animal parts. Consumer products must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Check neckline openings, loose cords and trim attachment, especially on children's styles. Agree wash instructions and acceptance criteria for shrinkage, colour transfer and decoration durability as purchasing specifications.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 men's polyester knitted ice hockey jerseys; FOB value and freight are illustrative, subject to commodity code confirmation. under 6110 30 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: measure production jerseys against the approved size chart; try playing styles over the intended pads and check shoulder movement, sleeve clearance and hem position.

Fabric and seams: compare weight, handle and mesh structure with the retained sample; check snagging, holes, skipped stitches and seam opening at the underarm.

Artwork: match names, back numbers, team colours and crest positions to the approved order; inspect print edges, embroidery backing and sewn badge attachment.

Wash and arrival: wash samples using the agreed method, then check colour transfer, shrinkage and decoration lifting. On arrival, check damp cartons, size assortments and fibre labels. Use the inspection guide to prepare the inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A jersey can fit without pads yet bind across the shoulders during play. A substituted fabric can snag more easily or change the drape. Dark team colours can transfer onto pale panels, heat-applied decoration can lift after washing, and heavy embroidery can leave rough backing inside the garment.

Personalisation errors can make otherwise sound stock unusable for the intended team. Approve the complete name and number list before decoration, retain a washed sample and compare production garments with it. On arrival, separate incorrect or damaged jerseys and record the affected size, artwork and carton before agreeing corrective work.

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.