Sourcing running vests from China

Running vest duty and classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 6109 covers knitted or crocheted T-shirts, singlets and other vests. This guide concerns running garments. The cotton T-shirt row is included for comparison, rather than as the default code for a singlet. See the wider cotton T-shirts guide. For thermal styles, see our knitted thermal vest sourcing guide. For gym styles, see our men's knitted stringer vest sourcing guide.

All listed lines carry 12% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff reading lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. It attaches CITES import and export controls to the non-cotton lines. CITES specimens entering Great Britain require a permit application; the exporting country's corresponding documentation also needs checking. For a vest containing potentially protected material, confirm the species and requirements with your customs broker before ordering.

Confirm the commodity code using the garment's construction and fibre composition, rather than its sports description. Agree the material specification before requesting clearance advice.

Specify fabric, armholes and seams

State fibre composition, knit structure, fabric weight, stretch and recovery, opacity when stretched, and the intended fit. Define chest width, body length, armhole depth and neckline shape in a measurement sheet. Approve a sample worn during running so that binding, side seams and labels can be checked for rubbing. For netball teamwear, see our knitted netball jersey sourcing guide.

Agree how to assess moisture handling and drying claims against samples. Specify logo position, print method and performance after washing and stretching. The fibre label must show the fibre content. Products should only be sold once compliance with product safety regulations has been demonstrated appropriately.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 2,000 cotton running vests, illustrative order under 6109 10 00 90, 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

Fabric: compare composition, weight, mesh openness, shade and stretched opacity with the approved sample.

Fit: measure chest, length, neckline and armholes across the ordered sizes; check binding recovery.

Seams: check skipped stitches, rough seam ends and label edges; stretch seams and assess rubbing during wear.

Washing and packing: check shrinkage, twisting, colour transfer and print adhesion; match fibre labels, size labels and carton contents to the order.

What goes wrong

Deep armholes can expose more than the approved sample, while tight binding can rub during running. Thin fabric can become transparent under stretch. Stretching and washing samples before bulk approval helps reveal seam failure, twisting and print cracking.

A fabric substitution can change fit, drying behaviour and the accuracy of the fibre label. Retain the approved sample and compare bulk fabric and washed garments during quality inspection. Record any agreed changes before accepting the shipment.

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.