Sourcing running socks from China

UK duty on running socks

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6115 covers knitted or crocheted socks and other hosiery. This guide covers ordinary running socks rather than graduated compression hosiery. The selected synthetic, cotton, wool and other-textile lines all carry 12% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension recorded.

The record attaches CITES import and export controls to 6115 94 00 00 and 6115 99 00 00. Permit requirements depend on the species listing. For goods from China, ask your customs broker to confirm whether the control applies and which UK import and Chinese export documents are needed before dispatch. The selected cotton and synthetic lines have no attached controls.

Confirm the commodity code against the complete fibre composition and construction before shipment. Do not classify from the words 'running socks' alone. For the wider heading, see the football socks guide.

Specify cushioning, toe seams and shoe fit

Specify the fibre blend, yarn, cuff height, foot length, heel position and arch-band tension. Mark cushioning zones at the heel, forefoot and toes, and identify areas intended to remain thin inside the shoe. Agree toe-seam position and bulk, heel-tab shape and whether pairs have distinct left and right construction.

Textile labels must show fibre content. Match the artwork to the actual yarn blend. Approve samples across the intended size range inside the intended type of running shoe, then repeat the fit check after the agreed washing procedure. Agree checks for rubbing, colour transfer, pilling and drying performance with your testing service.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative mixed-size stock order of ordinary synthetic-fibre running socks under 6115 96 99 00, invoiced at £8,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,200. Duty at 12% is £1,104. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,304, so it is £2,060.80. Import taxes total £3,164.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,104 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Fit: compare foot length, heel placement, cuff recovery and arch-band tension with the approved sample. Check for slipping or bunching inside the shoe before and after washing.

Construction: turn socks inside out to examine toe closures, loose yarn ends and joins between cushioning and mesh zones. Compare seam bulk and cushioning placement across pairs.

Performance: use the agreed washing, rubbing and drying procedures. Compare shrinkage, colour transfer, pilling and stretch recovery with the approved sample.

Packing: match fibre wording, size, colour and barcode to the socks. During inspection, open retail packs to check pair matching, snags and damage from fasteners. Repeat these checks on arrival.

What goes wrong

A soft sample can hide a bulky toe seam or cushioning that crowds the shoe. Changes in knitting tension can move the heel pocket, tighten the arch band or leave loose fabric underfoot. Assess samples while worn in shoes, rather than approving only their flat appearance.

Yarn substitution can change drying behaviour, colour and wash recovery while the packaging keeps the original fibre wording. Retain the approved sample and written blend specification for repeat orders. On arrival, compare stock from different cartons and separate pairs with mismatched sizes, rough seams or damp packaging.

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.