Importing sports apparel is necessary when your source your products from overseas. It’s important you understand the costs and procedure to make sure the goods are cleared through customs quickly and avoid any delays and fees due to not being properly prepared.
There are several processes involved in importing sportwear into your country and it’s essential to understand the complexities of cross-border trade, especially when it comes to taxes, VAT (Value-Added Tax), customs duties, and import regulations.
In this blog post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about importing sports apparel into your country, focusing on:
- Import taxes, duties, and VAT
- Customs classification and HS codes
- Required permits and documentation
- Regulatory compliance (including labelling and materials)
- Practical tips to streamline the import process
1. Understand the Basics: What Counts as Sports Apparel?
Before tackling the legal side, let’s define what we mean by sports apparel. This category includes:
- Activewear (e.g., leggings, tracksuits, gym shorts)
- Team jerseys and uniforms
- Sports bras and performance wear
- Accessories (e.g., sweatbands, caps, socks)
These items, while often treated as regular clothing, may be classified differently under customs law depending on their intended use and material.
It might be worth looking at some items as equipment rather than apparel where a reduced tariff could be applied. For instance, importing boxing gloves alongside boxing bags, could be allocated under equipment OR apparel. It’s therefore worthwhile finding the duty rate on both categories’ so you understand the most cost effective way to import them.
2. Taxes, Duties, and VAT: What Will You Pay?
When importing goods, three main types of import charges apply from your government:
a. Import Duties (Customs Duties)
This is a tax imposed by your country’s customs authority on goods entering the country. It’s typically a percentage of the declared value of the goods (also called the CIF value, which includes Cost, Insurance, and Freight).
Duty rates vary by country and product. For instance:
- The U.S. might charge 14% on synthetic athletic wear.
- The EU may impose duties of around 12% on certain sports clothing articles.
- Developing nations may have higher rates to protect local industries.
You can look up specific duty rates using the HS Code (explained below).
Note that these duty rates will differ depending on the HS code and the country of export. We have all seen the crazy tariff rates imposed by Donald Trump recently that effect each countries imports differently.
b. VAT or GST
Value-Added Tax (or Goods and Services Tax) is usually charged on top of the value of the goods plus the import duty. In the EU, VAT ranges from 17% to 27%, while in countries like Australia or Canada, it’s typically 5-15%.
The UK currently has a fixed rate of 20%
If you’re importing for business purposes and are VAT-registered, you may be able to reclaim this VAT as input tax.
It’s also worth knowing that you might be able to defer the VAT payment until your next VAT quarter, allowing you reduce your VAT liability and helping your cashflow. To do this, you will need to be VAT registered, have a deferment account and an EORI number.
c. Excise Taxes (Uncommon for Apparel)
These typically apply to alcohol, tobacco, and fuel, so they’re not usually relevant to sports apparel. However, if your country applies a luxury goods tax, premium sportswear brands may be affected.
If you are unsure, we suggest you contact a local freight forwarder for advice.
3. Customs Classification: HS Codes Matter
Every product imported into a country is classified using the Harmonized System (HS) Code, a standardized 6-digit code used globally (with additional digits for national classification).
Sports apparel falls under Chapter 61 (knitted or crocheted clothing) or Chapter 62 (non-knitted). For example:
- HS Code 6104.63 – Women’s or girls’ trousers, of synthetic fibres, knitted or crocheted. This would fit leggings for instance.
- HS Code 6112.41 – Women’s swimsuits, synthetic fibres.
- HS Code 6203.42 – Men’s trousers, cotton.
Using the correct HS Code is critical because it determines your duty rate and whether any import restrictions apply. Mistakes can lead to delays, fines, or overpayment of duty.
Most countries have an online customs tariff database where you can search by product type.
4. Import Regulations and Compliance Requirements
a. Import Licenses
Not all countries require import licenses for sportswear, however many do, particularly for commercial quantities or branded goods. Always check with your national trade or customs authority for more advice and if you are not sure, ask the supplier to provide a license to be safe.
You may need to provide evidence that the goods you are importing are genuine and belong to you as a business. Many counterfeit products are seized by customs, so if you are importing branded goods, make sure the documentation is 100% accurate and customs can clearly see the goods relate to your business.
At Blue Associates Sportswear, we recommend a complete paper trail is provided that shows the purchase order, order confirmation from the factory, packing list, shipping invoices and commercial invoices that should all bear your business name and brand where required.
b. Labelling Requirements
Most countries require imported clothing to carry specific labels, such as:
- Fiber composition (e.g., 80% polyester, 20% elastane) Note that this should be accurate and include aspects like linings.
- Care instructions (e.g., wash at 30°C). Please also include the recognised washing symbols
- Country of origin (e.g., Made in Vietnam)
- Manufacturer or importer information
Failure to comply can result in rejection at customs or product recalls.
Note that if you intend to sell products globally, then you may be required to provide these labels in several languages.
c. Product Safety Standards
Many countries now require imported textiles to meet specific safety standards, such as:
- Chemical restrictions (e.g., azo dyes, formaldehyde)
- Fire resistance (especially for sleepwear or children’s clothing)
- Children’s safety regulations, such as choking hazard guidelines
Ensure your supplier can provide compliance certificates (e.g., OEKO-TEX, REACH, CPSIA) if necessary.
If you are not sure what you require, please discuss your needs with a local freight forwarder.
5. Documentation You’ll Need
Accurate documentation is paramount for a smooth import process. The required paperwork generally includes the following:
- Commercial Invoice: Shows the value and description of goods.
- Packing List: Details of packaging, sizes, and weights per box and shipment.
- Bill of Lading or Air Waybill: Proof of shipment.
- Import Declaration Form: Submitted to customs, often digitally.
- Certificate of Origin: Sometimes needed for preferential trade agreements.
- Proof of Payment or Purchase Order: This is your purchase order and proof of payment to the supplier.
Always double-check with your customs broker or local freight forwarder to avoid missing any crucial documents.
6. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): Save on Duties
Certain countries have a preferential trade agreement in place to help promote business between those countries. These trade agreements may require additional paperwork, however the financial gains are well worth the extra work.
If your country has a trade agreement with the country you’re importing from, you might qualify for reduced or zero import duties.
For instance:
- The UK and EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement eliminates many apparel duties.
- The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) allows tariff-free imports if rules of origin are met. (Note that this may be blown out of the water due to Donald Trumps new Tariff’s)
- ASEAN countries often benefit from intra-regional duty concessions.
To benefit, your shipment usually needs a certificate of origin proving that the goods were manufactured in the partner country.
7. Use a Customs Broker or Freight Forwarder
At Blue Associates Sportswear, we recommend you use a customs broker or freight forwarder if you are new to importing commercial goods.
They help with:
- HS classification
- Paperwork and declarations
- Duty and tax calculations
- Compliance issues
- Clearing customs
Their fees are often worth the time and trouble they save, especially if you’re dealing with complex shipments or high-value goods where a mistake could cost you in extra taxes.
8. How to Register as an Importer
In many countries, importing commercially means you need to register as an importer. This typically involves:
- Getting an importer number or EORI number (in the UK and EU)
- Registering for VAT or GST
- Declaring your business to the relevant trade authority
Once registered, you’ll be able to legally import and pay taxes correctly.
Please don’t delay in getting these in place. The process is fairly simple, however we have seen this take weeks to get approved, so we recommend these are in place when you place the bulk order with the factory or supplier.
9. Watch Out for Anti-Dumping Measures
Sometimes, governments impose anti-dumping duties on products from countries selling below market value. For example, if Chinese sportswear is seen as undercutting domestic prices unfairly, extra duties may apply.
Always check your country’s trade defence measures before placing a large order of several hundred thousand pieces. Smaller orders of ‘000’s or even ‘0000’s should be fine but best to check if you are unsure.
10. Tips to Streamline Your Importing Process
These tips are here to guide you through the process with as little risk as possible.
- Start small: Test a small batch to understand costs and procedures before scaling up. Perhaps import a small batch by air or courier first to make sure all your ducks and lined up before the sea shipment arrives.
- Audit your supplier: Ensure they provide proper documentation and comply with regulations. Ask to see previous shipment documentation and who they have exported to before.
- Use DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping terms if you want the supplier to handle taxes and clearance. This allows the risk to be on the factory, however the factory will charge additional for this service. Note that not all suppliers will offer this.
- Keep up with trade changes: Tariff rates and regulations can change rapidly and it’s important you keep up to speed with these changes so you don’t get caught out with a larger than expected DUTY and VAT invoice.
- Track everything: Maintain digital records of invoices, taxes paid, and customs declarations for future audits. We suggest you keep these in separate files that relate to each shipment for easy reconciling in case you were to be inspected by your local tax office.
Hopefully, this guide gives you some insight into what is required when you import goods from overseas.
The process sounds far more complicated that it is, and providing you have the correct documentation and are fully registered with your import office, then most of the process is self-automated.
Payments for Duty and VAT need to be make promptly and any delays will result in storage charges and interest potentially added to your shipment. It’s important to make sure the funds are available when the goods dock and also make sure the payment can be made promptly. It’s probably not the best time to go on an African safari will no internet connection if you are expecting a shipment to arrive.
At Blue Associates Sportswear, we assist our clients with advice on importation when their goods are ready to be shipped. We suggest start-ups are VAT registered and have their import EORI numbers in place and also calculate the duties that are going to be due.
If you are looking to source performance sportswear from overseas and would like some advice, then please get in touch. We have been established since 1997 and helped over 500 clients globally produce and import goods into their country.
