Sourcing period swimwear from China

UK duty on period swimwear

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 period swimwear within the swimwear lines. For the wider heading, see competitive swimming suits.

The relevant women's or girls' swimwear lines carry 8% duty from China where rubber thread accounts for at least 5% by weight, and 12% on the other lines. The supplied records show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls.

Confirm the commodity code with the garment construction, intended wearer, fibre composition and rubber-thread content. Give your customs broker the composition of the outer fabric, lining and absorbent gusset rather than relying on the supplier's description of period swimwear.

Specify the absorbent gusset and swimming use

Define the style, size chart, outer fabric, lining and each gusset layer. Specify gusset coverage, absorbent material, barrier construction, seam placement and leg-opening tension. Approve the finished garment in its intended sizes, including how the gusset sits when wet and stretched.

Agree a test method for the intended swimming use. Record the test fluid, loading method, immersion conditions, movement and leakage acceptance criteria. Compare unused garments with garments washed using the proposed care instructions. A dry absorbency demonstration alone does not establish swimming performance.

For sale in Great Britain, fibre content must be labelled. Where components have different fibre contents, the content of each must be shown. Label information must be accurate, including any performance wording. Products should only be sold once compliance with applicable product safety regulations has been demonstrated. Agree supporting tests through testing and certification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 women's synthetic period swimsuits; FOB value and freight are illustrative, not a quotation. under 6112 41 90 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

Gusset: compare layer materials, coverage and attachment with the sealed sample; inspect barrier damage, exposed edges and seams crossing the absorbent area.

Wet fit: check graded measurements, leg-opening contact, gusset position and fabric recovery after immersion and stretching; look for gaping and excessive bulk.

Performance: repeat the agreed leakage checks on production samples before shipment and on arrival; inspect colour transfer, barrier separation and performance after washing.

Labels and packing: compare fibre wording, care instructions, size labels and performance wording with approved artwork; check for dampness and mould. Use the inspection guide to organise checks.

What goes wrong

An absorbent gusset can take up pool water during immersion, so a convincing dry demonstration may give little information about leakage while swimming. Poor leg fit or shifted gusset placement can create gaps, while seams through the barrier can provide leakage paths.

Bulk production may substitute a gusset material or alter its coverage. Washing can expose barrier separation, poor elastic recovery or colour transfer. Keep sealed samples and layer specifications, approve changes before production and compare arrival samples with the agreed test results.

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.