Sourcing knitted swim shorts from China
Knitted swim shorts from China carry UK duty of 8% to 12%, depending on fibre and rubber-thread content. Fibre-content labels are required for sale in Great Britain. Confirm the swimwear classification from the finished garment, then check wet opacity, waistband recovery and seam stretch. Cambridge China Bridge sources knitted swim shorts.
UK duty on knitted swim shorts
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6112 covers knitted or crocheted tracksuits, ski suits and swimwear. This guide focuses on knitted swim shorts; the table selects men's and boys' swimwear lines. See the competitive swimming suits guide for wider swimwear coverage.
The selected Chinese-origin lines carry 12% duty for the other categories and 8% where rubber thread accounts for at least 5% by weight. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls. Do not infer rubber-thread content from stretch alone; obtain the material breakdown.
Confirm the commodity code using the finished garment and fabric specification. HMRC's swimwear guidance says swimming shorts cannot have a front opening or an opening at the waist, even when fitted with a closing system. Send the broker photographs of the waist, crotch lining and pockets before agreeing the classification.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's or boys' synthetic-fibre knitted swim shorts, other | 6112 31 90 00 | 12% | None |
| Men's or boys' synthetic knitted swim shorts with at least 5% rubber thread | 6112 31 10 00 | 8% | None |
| Men's or boys' knitted swim shorts of other textile materials, other | 6112 39 90 00 | 12% | None |
| Men's or boys' other-textile knitted swim shorts with at least 5% rubber thread | 6112 39 10 00 | 8% | None |
Specify the knit, lining and waistband
State the shell fibre blend, knit construction, fabric weight and stretch direction. Specify the sewn-in lining, waistband elastic, drawcord attachment, leg length, crotch depth and seam construction. Approve a graded size chart with agreed tolerances and a sample in each colour. Record rubber-thread content separately from the general fibre description.
Agree checks for wet opacity, colour transfer, chlorine exposure, washing and stretch recovery. Ask for test reports matching the bulk fabric, lining and colours through testing and certification. These are purchasing checks to agree with the factory, rather than a claim that every test is compulsory.
For sale in Great Britain, the fibre-content label is required and consumer products must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Put the label wording and care instructions in the approved specification. For children's swim shorts, review drawcords, detachable tips and sharp trims before approving production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 2,000 pairs of men's synthetic-fibre knitted swim shorts, illustrative only under 6112 31 90 00, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £19,200. Duty at 12% is £2,304. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £21,504, so it is £4,300.80. Import taxes total £6,604.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £2,304 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fabric and opacity: compare the bulk knit and lining with the approved sample, check fabric weight, and inspect opacity when wet and stretched.
Fit and recovery: measure waist, rise and leg openings across the ordered sizes, stretch the waistband and fabric, and check their return after the agreed wash and pool-exposure tests.
Seams and trims: stretch crotch and leg seams to expose skipped stitches or broken thread; check lining attachment, drawcord security and rough edges on trims.
Labels and packing: compare fibre labels, care instructions, size markings and carton assortments with the approved specification and packing list. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspection.
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What goes wrong
Dry samples can conceal fabric that becomes transparent when wet, lining that clings or rubs, and waistbands that loosen after pool use. Stitches may break when the wearer stretches the knit, while dark colours can transfer onto a pale lining. Test finished garments rather than approving the shell fabric alone.
A factory may substitute the lining, elastic or fabric blend after sample approval. Keep an approved garment and material specification for comparison, and inspect the bulk goods before shipment. A change to the waist opening or pocket construction should also trigger a fresh classification check with the broker.
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 swim shorts from China?
The selected swimwear lines carry 8% where rubber thread accounts for at least 5% by weight, and 12% in the other categories. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Does stretchy fabric qualify knitted swim shorts for the lower duty?
Stretch alone does not establish rubber-thread content. Obtain the fabric breakdown and confirm whether the finished shorts meet the tariff category containing at least 5% rubber thread by weight.
Do knitted swim shorts need a fibre label?
Yes, for sale in Great Britain the label must show fibre content. Agree the wording before production and compare the finished labels with the actual material specification.
What should I test before ordering knitted swim shorts?
Check wet opacity, stretch recovery, waistband retention, seam stretch, lining comfort and colour transfer. Agree washing and chlorine-exposure checks using finished samples in the intended colours.