Quick answer: Good sportswear sourcing means choosing the right factory, approving samples, agreeing price, MOQ and lead time in writing, and planning shipping, duties and quality checks.
Finding a good factory is only half of sourcing. The other half is getting goods to your door at the cost you planned: the right Incoterm, shipping mode, duty treatment and paperwork. This guide is written for brands, clubs and distributors in the USA, UK and EU who import sportswear from Asia, with a focus on Pakistan.
Quick answer
To source sportswear internationally: pick a sourcing country that fits your product, shortlist and vet factories, agree specifications and samples, choose an Incoterm (EXW, FOB, DAP or DDP), pick air or sea freight, check import duty for your HS code and any trade preference (EU GSP+, UK DCTS), and make sure the factory sends a commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin.
Sourcing from Pakistan? Ravix Pro Industry in Sialkot is a sportswear and clothing manufacturer trusted by sports clubs and clothing brands in the USA, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia and the UAE. One factory for custom, OEM and private label production, with in-house sublimation, printing and embroidery and an MOQ of 30 pieces per design. USA · UK · EU · Get a free quote.
Part of our guide: The Clothing Sourcing Process, Step by Step · Quick answers
1. Choose the right sourcing country
Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Turkey all export sportswear, each with different strengths. Pakistan, and Sialkot in particular, is strong in sublimated teamwear, combat sports gear, gloves and small-to-medium custom orders. For a full comparison read Pakistan vs China vs Bangladesh and our Pakistan factory guide.
2. Understand Incoterms
Incoterms are standard trade rules published by the International Chamber of Commerce. They define who pays for and takes the risk of each part of the journey.
| Incoterm | Seller covers | Buyer covers | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXW (Ex Works) | Goods ready at factory | Everything from the factory onwards | Buyers with their own forwarder in Pakistan |
| FOB (Free On Board) | Export clearance and loading at port | Sea freight, insurance, import | Sea shipments, larger buyers |
| DAP (Delivered At Place) | Transport to your address | Import duty, taxes, clearance | Small and medium orders by air |
| DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) | Transport plus duties and taxes | Unloading only | First-time importers who want a landed price |
3. Air or sea?
| Air express | Air cargo | Sea freight | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transit time | 3–7 days door to door | 5–10 days | About 3–6 weeks port to port |
| Suits | Samples, up to ~100 kg | 100–500 kg | Pallets and containers |
| Cost per kg | Highest | Medium | Lowest |
4. Duties and trade preferences
- European Union: Pakistan is a GSP+ beneficiary, which removes import duty on most textile and apparel lines when the origin rules are met. The European Parliament extended the scheme for current beneficiaries until 2027.
- United Kingdom: Pakistan benefits from the UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), with duty-free access on most garments under the enhanced preferences tier.
- United States: apparel duties depend on the HS code and fibre, and US tariff policy changed several times in 2025. Ask your customs broker for the current rate for your exact HS code before you price your products. The US also ended duty-free de minimis treatment for low-value parcels in 2025.
VAT or sales tax is charged on import in the UK and EU and is usually reclaimable by VAT-registered businesses.
5. Documents your factory should provide
- Commercial invoice (with HS codes and values)
- Packing list (cartons, weights, sizes)
- Airway bill or bill of lading
- Certificate of origin / REX statement for EU GSP+ or origin declaration for UK DCTS
- Test reports or certificates if your market requires them
6. Landed cost formula
Landed cost per piece = (product cost + freight + insurance + duty + clearance fees + local delivery) ÷ pieces. Calculate it for every new style before you set a retail or wholesale price. See manufacturing costs.
7. Protect yourself
Use a proforma invoice, pay to a company account, approve samples in writing and inspect before the balance. The buyer checklist covers every step. We ship door to door from Sialkot to the USA, UK and EU.
From our factory floor in Sialkot
At Ravix Pro Industry we have manufactured sportswear since 2008. Every order follows the same 11 steps: quote, design, approval, sample, cutting, decoration, stitching, thread trimming, quality check, packing and door-to-door shipping. Sublimation, screen printing, embroidery and stitching happen in-house, so we control colour, print quality and timing ourselves. The most common problem we see with first-time buyers is skipping the sample; a physical sample costs a little extra but prevents expensive surprises in bulk. See our manufacturing process and quality checks.
Ready to start? Request a free quote or message us on WhatsApp with your design, quantity and sizes. MOQ from 30 pieces per design. We reply within 24 hours.
FAQs
What is the best Incoterm for a first order?
DAP or DDP by air is simplest for small first orders because the factory arranges transport to your door. Larger sea shipments are usually FOB with your own forwarder.
Is sportswear from Pakistan duty-free in the EU?
Most apparel lines qualify for zero duty under EU GSP+ if the origin rules are met and the correct origin statement is provided. Check your HS code with a customs broker.
Is it duty-free in the UK?
Most garments from Pakistan enter the UK duty-free under the DCTS enhanced preferences, again subject to origin rules. VAT still applies.
How do I find the HS code for sportswear?
Knitted garments are mainly in HS chapter 61 and woven garments in chapter 62. Your customs broker or the national tariff tool confirms the exact code.
Who arranges customs clearance?
Under DDP the seller does; under DAP, FOB and EXW the buyer or the buyer’s broker does.
Sources
- International Chamber of Commerce, Incoterms® 2020 rules: iccwbo.org
- The Standard, “European Parliament extends GSP status for developing nations till 2027”, June 2026: thestandard.com.pk
- ProPakistani, “UK announces initiatives to boost trade with Pakistan” (Developing Countries Trading Scheme), June 2023: propakistani.pk
- Pakistan Bureau of Statistics via Associated Press of Pakistan, “Textile exports rise by 7.39pc to $17.887b in FY 2025”, 18 July 2025: app.com.pk
