Importing textiles and clothing into the United Kingdom involves more than arranging transport and paying duty. Importers must meet detailed rules on commodity classification, documentary evidence, consumer labelling, product safety, and post-Brexit customs formalities. Non-compliance risks delays, fines, or even seizure. The guidance below explains each regulatory layer and shows how the Customs Declarations UK (CDUK) platform streamlines your declarations.
Each garment or fabric must be declared under the correct 10-digit code in Chapters 61 and 62 of the UK Global Online Tariff; the code drives both duty rate and any licensing triggers. For example, a women’s 100% cotton T-shirt normally falls under 6109 10 00. You must also state the precise description, commercial value, and manufacturing origin, all tied to your UK EORI number. From 31 January 2025 every EU consignment needs an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) before it reaches Great Britain. Customs Declarations UK platform helps you with submitting your ENS declarations as well seamlessly.
Customs duty depends on that HS code and the origin rule in any free-trade agreement; VAT is generally 20%, though children’s clothing and certain protective wear are zero-rated. Documentary proof of origin is essential if you claim preferential rates.
Prepare a commercial invoice, packing list, transport document (bill of lading or airwaybill), certificates of origin where preference is claimed, and any import licence required by the Department for Business & Trade for quota-controlled categories. Organic ranges need a National Organic Program (NOP) certificate. Accurate paperwork shortens customs clearance and underpins post-clearance audits.
The Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations 2012 require every textile product sold in the UK to show its fibre content. A single-fibre article may say “100% cotton”; blended items must list each fibre by weight in descending order (e.g., “60% cotton, 40% polyester”). If the product incorporates leather, fur, or similar material, it must bear the statement “contains non-textile parts of animal origin.”
Care and size labels are not compulsory but are strongly encouraged to reduce returns and liability. Labels must be durable, legible, and securely attached; outer-pack labelling is acceptable for multi-packs such as handkerchiefs.
Nightwear and children’s sleepwear must satisfy the Nightwear (Safety) Regulations 1985, carrying the standard fire-safety warning. For wider apparel, importers must ensure the product is “safe” under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, and many choose to test against voluntary flammability standards. Chemical restrictions stem from UK REACH: azo dyes, formaldehyde, heavy metals and certain biocides have tight limits. Suppliers should provide recent third-party test reports; importers must keep them ready for Trading Standards.
Children’s garments demand additional vigilance: cords, draw-strings and small decorative parts must comply with BS EN 14682, and flammability thresholds are higher than for adult clothing.
The CDUK platform is designed to translate the rulebook above into an intuitive workflow:
You can simply clone your similar declarations for repeat imports in future as it saves time and reduces clerical error.
Begin by researching the official guidance on GOV.UK and Business Companion, then classify your products precisely. Verify that suppliers can prove REACH and safety compliance and supply fibre composition data; draft compliant labels early so factories can attach them before shipment. Assemble every document listed above and submit your declaration through CDUK well before the goods reach UK borders. Finally, retain test reports, invoices, and the customs entry for at least four years in case of HMRC or Trading Standards inspection.
Successful textile and apparel imports hinge on exact classification, documentary accuracy, consumer-focused labelling, and rigorous product-safety evidence. While the regulatory landscape has stayed broadly aligned with EU rules since Brexit, new UK-specific updates can arrive with little notice; continual monitoring is therefore prudent. By combining thorough preparation with the streamlined filing tools provided by Customs Declarations UK, importers can minimise risk, clear goods quickly, and deliver compliant products that meet both legal standards and customer expectations.
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