Importing textiles and garments from Bangladesh and Vietnam to the EU
Bangladesh and Vietnam are two of the largest garment exporters to Europe, but they reach the EU market on very different trade terms. A sound textile import depends on getting four things right: the product and fibre specification, the tariff classification and the origin rule that unlocks a preference, the EU chemical and labelling requirements, and a supply chain you can audit. This is a practical overview with pointers to the sources you should check before each order.
By Hiram Trade Editorial Desk
- Published
8 min read
Product groups
| Group | Examples | What drives the deal |
|---|---|---|
| Knitwear | T-shirts, jerseys, sweatshirts, socks | yarn count, GSM, shrinkage, colourfastness |
| Woven apparel | shirts, trousers, jackets, workwear | fabric construction, finishing, sizing |
| Home textiles | bed linen, towels, curtains | thread count, fibre content, dyeing |
| Fabric and yarn | cotton, synthetic and blended fabric | composition, width, tolerances |
| Accessories and technical textiles | bags, hats, protective items | may fall under other EU rules, for example PPE or CE marking |
If your product is a technical or protective item, check whether other EU product rules apply; see CE marking when importing into the EU.
Tariff code
Textiles and garments sit in HS sections XI, mainly chapters 50 to 63. Knitted apparel is in chapter 61, woven apparel in chapter 62, made-up textile articles such as bed linen in chapter 63. The exact subheading depends on fibre, knitted or woven construction, gender and the type of garment. Check the duty rate and any preference for your exact 10-digit code and origin in TARIC and Access2Markets, never from a supplier quotation. See our guide to HS and CN codes.
Specification and quality
For each style, put in the contract and the tech pack:
- fibre composition by percentage and the exact fibre names, which must match what appears on the label;
- fabric weight, construction, shrinkage and colourfastness tolerances;
- sizing, measurement tolerances and acceptable quality level for inspection;
- dyes and finishes, with an explicit commitment to meet EU restricted-substance limits;
- trims, labels, care instructions and packaging;
- the factory, and any subcontractors, named and approved in advance.
Order a pre-production sample and test before bulk production. For inspection planning see pre-shipment inspection and quality control.
EU law
- Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH): Annex XVII restricts substances in textiles, including certain azo dyes that can release restricted aromatic amines, and other hazardous substances. You as importer are responsible for compliance, so request test reports from an accredited laboratory.
- Regulation (EU) 2023/988 (General Product Safety Regulation): consumer products placed on the EU market must be safe. It sets obligations for traceability, product information, and for an EU-based responsible person. Children's clothing deserves special attention, for example regarding cords and drawstrings.
- Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 (textile fibre names and labelling): the fibre composition must be labelled with the approved fibre names and in the language of the destination market.
- Care labelling and size marking are often voluntary at EU level but expected commercially and required in some national markets.
Also consider your buyers' due-diligence expectations on labour conditions and environmental claims. Check the current EU and national rules that apply to your sector.
Origin and preference
Bangladesh is a least developed country (LDC) and benefits from the EU "Everything But Arms" (EBA) arrangement: duty-free and quota-free access for products of Bangladeshi origin, except arms. The condition is that the goods meet the rules of origin, and the exporter provides proof of origin. REX registration is required only for consignments over EUR 6,000; for consignments up to EUR 6,000 any exporter may make out the statement on origin. Verify the current status of the arrangement and the applicable origin rule in Access2Markets.
Vietnam has a free trade agreement with the EU (EVFTA, in force since 2020). Textile preferences depend on the product-specific rule of origin, which for apparel is usually strict: roughly, the fabric as well as the garment-making must be done in the partner country or a qualifying source (a "double transformation" approach). Imported fabric from a third country can disqualify the garment. Check the product-specific rule for your code in Access2Markets.
Proof of origin differs by regime. Bangladesh under EBA: a statement on origin by an exporter registered in the REX system for consignments over EUR 6,000, or by any exporter for consignments up to EUR 6,000. Vietnam under EVFTA: an EUR.1 movement certificate or an origin declaration; for consignments up to EUR 6,000 any exporter may make out the declaration, above that the exporter must be registered or approved under the agreement's system. If origin cannot be proven, the goods pay the standard duty, so confirm the documentary route with the supplier before you place the order, and keep the supplier's supporting records. For how these rules of origin and proofs work in general, see rules of origin and preferential proof.
Documents
A typical set for a sea shipment of garments:
- commercial invoice and packing list;
- bill of lading;
- proof of origin (REX statement on origin or EUR.1) when claiming a preference;
- laboratory test reports (REACH, fibre composition, colourfastness);
- inspection report;
- customs declaration and the importer's EORI number.
See international trade shipping documents and EU customs clearance and EORI.
Logistics
| Option | When | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Container, cartons on pallets | standard for folded garments | humidity; use desiccants and keep cartons off the floor |
| Container, hanging garments (GOH) | coats, suits, premium apparel | needs hanging bars and specialised handling |
| LCL consolidation | smaller orders | longer transit, more handling, higher damage risk |
| Air freight | samples, replenishment, urgent seasonal orders | high cost per kg; best for high-value or time-critical items |
Seasonality matters: lead times for production plus ocean freight can easily miss a retail window, so plan with buffers. See cargo insurance and the Institute Cargo Clauses.
Incoterms
- Containers: FCA, CPT or CIP are the Incoterms 2020 rules designed for containerised cargo. FOB is widely used in garment trading, but it technically fits non-container shipments.
- Quality control: specify who pays for inspection and what happens if the lot fails.
See our guide to Incoterms 2020, and use landed cost to compare offers across origins, remembering that customs duty is calculated on the customs value, while the taxable base for import VAT also includes the customs duty and incidental costs (transport, insurance, handling) up to the first place of destination in the EU, where not already included. If you also source other goods from the region, see importing dried fruit and spices into the EU.
Checklist before signing
- Fibre composition, tolerances and sizing defined in a tech pack.
- TARIC code, duty and preference conditions checked for the exact origin.
- Origin route confirmed: EBA for Bangladesh (REX registration for consignments over EUR 6,000), or the EVFTA product-specific rule for Vietnam.
- Supplier registered in REX where required (consignments over EUR 6,000), or able to issue EUR.1, and ready to supply records.
- REACH test reports and a clause on restricted substances in the contract.
- Label content (fibre names, language, importer details) agreed.
- Factory and subcontractors named; supplier verified, see verifying a foreign supplier.
- Inspection, cargo insurance, Incoterm and port fixed.
On Hiram you can post a request with a full specification and compare quotes by total landed cost. Go to the market.
Sources
- Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH): https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2006/1907/oj (opens in a new tab)
- Regulation (EU) 2023/988 (General Product Safety Regulation): https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/988/oj (opens in a new tab)
- Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 (textile fibre names and labelling): https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/1007/oj (opens in a new tab)
- European Commission, TARIC consultation: https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/taric/taric_consultation.jsp (opens in a new tab)
- European Commission, Access2Markets - Guide for import of goods: https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/content/guide-import-goods (opens in a new tab)
- EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, Protocol 1 concerning the definition of originating products
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 (Union Customs Code implementing provisions, including GSP origin rules)
- Directive 2006/112/EC (EU VAT Directive, taxable amount on importation, arts 85-88): https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2006/112/oj (opens in a new tab)
- European Commission, Registered Exporter (REX) system: https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/online-services/online-services-and-databases-customs/registered-exporter-rex-system_en (opens in a new tab)
This article is for information only and is not legal, tax or customs advice. Rules and rates change: check the current official sources or consult an adviser before you decide.