Sourcing men's polo shirts and knit shirts from China
Men's and boys' knitted or crocheted shirts from China, including polo shirts, pay 12% UK duty in cotton, synthetic or artificial fibres, with no anti-dumping duty. Fibre content must be labelled under the 2012 regulations, and branded or embroidered polos for uniforms and events need logo approval and colour matching. Cambridge China Bridge sources them.
Men's and boys' knitted shirts, including polo shirts, in cotton or man-made fibres pay 12% UK duty from China. Labels, fabric and a worked duty example.
A flat 12%
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, men's or boys' knitted or crocheted shirts carried 12% duty on goods from China, in cotton, synthetic fibres or artificial fibres, with no anti-dumping measure.
T-shirts and vests are in heading 6109, and woven shirts in 6205; confirm the commodity code from the construction and collar.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Of cotton | 6105 10 00 00 | 12% | None |
| Of synthetic fibres | 6105 20 10 00 | 12% | None |
| Of artificial fibres | 6105 20 90 00 | 12% | None |
Labels and branding
The Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Names) Regulations 2012 require the fibre composition using permitted fibre names. For uniform and promotional polos, approve embroidery or print size and position, thread colours against Pantone references and the logo artwork; the promotional merchandise guide covers branding.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 2,000 cotton polo shirts under 6105 10 00 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.
What goes wrong
Polos fail at the collar and placket first. Flat-knit collars curl after washing if the rib is too light, plackets twist when the fabric's spirality is not controlled, and piqué shrinks unless it is pre-shrunk. Colour varies between dye lots, which shows badly on uniform orders delivered in several shipments.
Specify fabric weight and piqué type, shrinkage and spirality limits, collar rib construction and button type. At inspection, measure against the size chart, wash-test a sample, check logo placement and compare shade across cartons.
Cambridge China Bridge sources polo shirts and knitted shirts for retail, uniforms and events, with fabric, fit and branding settled before the order. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on polo shirts from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, men's knitted shirts including polo shirts carried 12% duty from China.
Are T-shirts in heading 6105?
No. T-shirts and vests are in heading 6109.
Why do polo collars curl?
A rib that is too light or not heat-set; specify the collar construction and wash-test samples.
How do I keep uniform colours consistent?
Approve shade on a lab dip and check it across cartons and dye lots.