Business & Export · Sportswear Encyclopedia
Importing Sportswear from Sialkot
Manufacturing is only half the job. A sportswear order is only successful when it clears customs, lands in the buyer's warehouse and reaches retail on time. Here is the importer playbook for Sialkot-origin sportswear.
Sea freight
22–28 days
Karachi → EU ports
Air freight
4–6 days
Karachi → hub airport
HS codes
61xx / 62xx
Knit / woven sportswear
Default Incoterm
FOB Karachi
For sea shipments
Incoterms — who does what
| Incoterm | Where risk transfers | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| EXW | At the factory gate | Buyer with an existing Pakistan freight forwarder |
| FOB Karachi | On the vessel at Karachi port | Bulk sea shipments — the industry default |
| CIF | On the vessel at Karachi, seller pays freight + insurance to destination port | Buyers without their own freight contract |
| DAP | At buyer's door, duty NOT paid | Small courier shipments |
| DDP | At buyer's door, duty AND VAT paid | Buyers who want a landed unit cost — priced higher |
HS codes — the sportswear map
| Item | HS heading |
|---|---|
| Knit football jerseys, T-shirts | 6109.90 / 6114.30 |
| Knit tracksuits | 6112.12 |
| Knit hoodies, sweatshirts | 6110.30 |
| Woven shorts | 6203.43 |
| Knit compression baselayer | 6114.30 |
| Football socks | 6115.95 |
Destination customs may sub-classify by fibre content (100% polyester vs poly-spandex vs poly-cotton). Always confirm with a licensed broker in the destination country before shipment.
Freight — sea vs air, honest numbers
- Sea LCL (Karachi → Hamburg / Felixstowe / Rotterdam): 22–28 days, $110–160 per CBM.
- Sea FCL 20-ft container: ~28–33 CBM usable, all-in $1,800–2,800 depending on season.
- Air freight (Karachi → Frankfurt / Heathrow / JFK): 4–6 days, $5–8 per kg door-to-door.
- Courier (DHL / FedEx): 3–5 days for parcels under 100 kg — used for samples and top-ups.
- Ex-works charge: expect $30–60 for stuffing, palletising and truck-to-port.
Documentation — the export pack
- Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading (or air waybill).
- Certificate of Origin (Form E for EU GSP+, Form A for other preferential tariffs).
- Fibre content declaration for textile customs classification.
- GRS or RCS transaction certificate when the order uses recycled polyester.
- Buyer-nominated third-party inspection report (SGS / Intertek / Bureau Veritas) if requested.
Ship your sportswear order end-to-end
Findup Sports ships sportswear on FOB Karachi, CIF, DAP and DDP terms. Full export documentation and buyer-nominated third-party inspection supported.