Shipping Activewear from China: Duties, Timelines and Incoterms Explained
Freight cost and import duty can make or break your margin. Here is how shipping terms, duty rates, and transit times work for activewear imports into the US, UK and EU.
The unit price your factory quotes is not your landed cost. Freight, duty, and handling often add 15–30% before your product reaches a warehouse. Understand these moving parts before you price your product.
Incoterms: Who Pays What
| Term | Factory pays to | You pay |
|---|---|---|
| EXW | Factory door only | Everything else |
| FOB | Loaded on vessel at origin port | Freight, insurance, duty |
| CIF | Freight + insurance to destination port | Duty, inland delivery |
| DDP | Everything including duty | Nothing (higher unit price) |
FOB is the most common for small and mid-size importers — it gives you control over freight while keeping the factory responsible for export clearance.
Transit Times
- Express (DHL/FedEx): 3–7 days, best for samples
- Air freight: 7–12 days, good for urgent mid-size orders
- Sea LCL: 25–40 days, cost-effective for partial containers
- Sea FCL: 25–40 days, cheapest per unit at volume
Duty Rates (Typical)
Activewear duties vary by material and destination. Polyester and nylon apparel typically attract different rates, and knit vs woven matters. Always confirm with your customs broker using the exact HS code — rates and de minimis thresholds change.
Reducing Landed Cost
- Consolidate styles into one shipment
- Optimize packaging to reduce volume (freight is cubic-based)
- Compare LCL vs FCL once you exceed roughly 15 CBM
- Plan production around holiday congestion
Need a landed-cost estimate for your order? Send us your quantities and destination.
Product Overview
Produced in our own Yiwu factory for wholesale and private-label buyers who require consistent quality, sizing and colour across repeat production runs.
Fabric & Performance
- Nylon-spandex knit with 4-way stretch
- Moisture-wicking and quick-dry
- Breathable, opaque construction
- Shape retention after repeated washing
Design Details
- Athletic cut engineered for freedom of movement
- Flatlock seams reduce chafing
- Reinforced stitching at stress points
Recommended Use
Suited to yoga, pilates, gym training and everyday athleisure.
Sizing & Fit
Offered across a full size range with an athletic fit. Custom size grading available on request.
OEM & ODM Customization
- Custom logo and print placement
- Private label and branded packaging
- Custom colour matching and fabric weight
- Low MOQ with fast sampling
Production & Shipping
In-house cutting, sewing and quality control with export documentation prepared for destination markets.
Ready to Source
Send your quantity, colourway and target price for a bulk quote. Contact the factory to start.