Sourcing sports bras from China

Sports bra duty and classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 8 October 2026, heading 6212 covers brassières and other corsetry, whether knitted or crocheted. Sports bras supplied separately fall within the other-brassières line; a retail set containing a brassière and a pair of briefs has a separate line. The table repeats the standalone code for different sports-bra constructions.

Both relevant lines carry 6% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.

Confirm the commodity code against the actual garment and retail presentation, particularly when buying a crop-top style or a coordinated set. For other products within the heading, see bras and lingerie. For adhesive styles, see our adhesive backless bra sourcing guide. For mastectomy styles, see our mastectomy bra sourcing guide. For nursing styles, see our nursing bra sourcing guide. For dancewear, see our dance belt sourcing guide.

Specify support, fit and fabric recovery

Specify the intended activity and agree how support will be assessed on fit samples. Define compression or separate-cup construction, band and cup sizing, strap width and adjustment, closure, lining, removable pads and seam placement. Approve the size chart and tolerances before cutting, including relaxed and stretched band measurements.

Agree fabric composition, weight, stretch direction, recovery, colour and opacity when stretched. Check comfort during movement, not just on a hanger. Compare washed samples with the approved fit sample for band recovery, cup shape and pad movement.

Fibre labelling is required. Confirm with the relevant authority how the composition of the whole bra or its component fabrics should be stated. Agree the label format before artwork approval. Businesses importing or selling consumer products are responsible for their safety.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 sports bras; FOB and freight values are illustrative under 6212 10 90 00, invoiced at £5,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,800. Duty at 6% is £348. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,148, so it is £1,229.60. Import taxes total £1,577.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £348 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Fit and support: measure production pieces across the ordered sizes against the approved chart; check band position, cup coverage and strap adjustment during movement.

Elastic and seams: check band recovery after stretching and washing, pull-test strap joins and closures, and inspect seam edges for rubbing or loose stitching.

Pads and fabric: check pad shape, pocket openings, pad movement after washing, stretched opacity and colour transfer onto lining or contrasting panels.

Labels and packing: compare fibre labels with the agreed composition records, check size labels against the garments and reconcile the packed size breakdown. Use the inspection guide to plan checks.

What goes wrong

A sample can fit while production grading leaves larger sizes with inadequate cup coverage or a band that rides up. Elastic can lose recovery after washing, straps can slip through adjusters, removable pads can fold inside their pockets and stretched fabric can become transparent.

Approve movement and wash checks before production, then repeat them on production samples. Keep the agreed construction and fabric records with the order so substitutions can be identified. Treat sharp hardware, exposed wire ends and failing strap attachments as safety concerns.

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.