Sourcing knitted sports tracksuits from China

UK duty on knitted sports tracksuits

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6112 covers knitted or crocheted tracksuits, ski suits and swimwear. This guide covers sports tracksuits only. See the tracksuits and swimwear guide for the wider heading.

The tracksuit lines for cotton, synthetic fibres and other textile materials all carry 12% duty on goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for these lines. The polyester example in the table shares the synthetic-fibre code.

Confirm the commodity code using the fibre composition, knitted construction and actual garments supplied. Send your broker photographs and specifications for the complete set rather than relying on the supplier's description.

Specify the matching top and trousers

Define the intended wearer and activity, fibre blend, knit structure, fabric weight, stretch and finish. Agree whether the fabric is brushed inside, how closely the top and trousers must match in colour, and the required pocket, zip, cuff and waistband construction.

Approve a size chart for both garments, including chest, sleeve, waist, rise and inside leg measurements. Set washing and shrinkage acceptance criteria against an approved sample. Agree logo placement and check printed or embroidered areas after washing.

For sale in Great Britain, textile labels must show fibre content, including fur and other animal parts. Consumer products must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Include drawcords, zip pulls and detachable trims in the sample review, especially for children's sets.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 knitted sports tracksuit sets under 6112 12 00 00, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £19,500. Duty at 12% is £2,340. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £21,840, so it is £4,368. Import taxes total £6,708; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £2,340 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Matching set: compare the top and trousers in consistent lighting, check fabric texture and shade, and confirm that each packed set contains the agreed garment sizes.

Fit and recovery: measure both garments against the approved chart, stretch cuffs and waistbands, and compare washed samples for shrinkage, twisting and loss of shape.

Seams and trims: inspect crotch, seat, pocket and armhole seams for skipped stitches or opening; operate zips and check drawcord attachments and loose trims.

Labels and packing: compare fibre labels with the agreed composition, check size labels on both garments, and reconcile packed sets with the packing list. Arrange quality inspection against the approved sample.

What goes wrong

A matching sample can conceal bulk-production differences: tops and trousers come from different dye batches, brushed fabric sheds, knees bag out and elastic loses recovery. Wash and wear the complete sample set before approving production, then compare bulk samples with it.

Size labels can match while the actual fit differs between garments. Another failure is approving a fabric swatch without checking finished seams, pockets and decoration. Record garment measurements and washed appearance in the inspection brief so acceptance does not depend on a visual impression.

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.