What is the import duty on cotton textiles from India to the UK?

Zero on qualifying goods. Under the India–UK CETA, in force since 15 July 2026, the UK's 12% MFN duty on HS 6302 lines — terry towels and bed, bath and toilet linen — falls to zero, cotton bathrobes under HS 6207/6208 move the same way, and cotton floor mats under HS 5702 go from roughly 8% to zero. Note this comes from CETA specifically: India was graduated out of UK DCTS textile preferences on 1 January 2026.

How long is shipping from India to the UK?

20 to 25 days FOB JNPT or Mundra, routing Suez to the English Channel, plus the road leg from the arrival terminal.

Which UK ports do you ship to?

Felixstowe on the east coast, Southampton on the south, London Gateway on the Thames, and Liverpool on the west. Routing is chosen per programme against sailing schedules and your delivery window.

What certifications do UK buyers require?

Sedex SMETA four-pillar is the common denominator and is required outright by Primark, Tesco and M&S. Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is expected on skin-contact categories, BRC for some retail buyers. UK REACH substance limits apply, and every piece must carry an English-language fibre-composition label under the Textile Products Regulations 2012.

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United Kingdom.

Suez → Gibraltar → English Channel. 20 – 25 days FOB JNPT.

India–UK CETAIn force since 15 July 2026

Qualifying Indian cotton towels, bed linen and bathrobes now land in the UK at 0% duty.

Against 12% MFN on HS 6302 for non-FTA origins.

Mature hospitality market — Whitbread / Premier Inn, IHG, Marriott UK, boutique groups, and the growing serviced-apartment segment. Retail side (M&S, John Lewis, Next, Primark) carries higher compliance ceiling than the US average.

Ports of entry

Where containers land.

FelixstoweEast
SouthamptonSouth
London GatewayThames
LiverpoolWest

Lead time

FOB to landed.

20 – 25 days FOB JNPT/Mundra via Suez and the English Channel.

Payment rails

Letter of Credit · TT · Wise Business

Compliance ceiling

What buyers in United Kingdom expect.

✓Sedex SMETA 4-pillar (Primark / Tesco / M&S all require)
✓BRC Global Standard for some retail buyers
✓Oeko-Tex Standard 100
✓Modern Slavery Act statement on supplier records
✓UK REACH — hazardous-substance limits (azo dyes, formaldehyde, NPEs, heavy metals), HSE-enforced
✓Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations 2012 — English-language fibre-composition label

Cities

Where we deliver in United Kingdom.

London

Greater London

Suez → English Channel → London Gateway or Felixstowe. Road leg under two hours to the West End.

Open London

Manchester

North West England

Suez → Irish Sea → Liverpool. Thirty minutes by road into Manchester — the shortest port-to-city leg in the UK.

Open Manchester

Buyer profile

Hotel groups, boutique hospitality, serviced-apartment operators, retail buyers (high-street, premium, and value tiers).

Note · Under the India–UK CETA — signed 24 July 2025, entering into force 15 July 2026 — the UK's 12% MFN duty on Indian cotton home-textile made-ups (HS 6302: terry towels and bed, bath and toilet linen) falls to zero for qualifying-origin goods; cotton bathrobes (HS 6207/6208) move the same way, and cotton floor mats (HS 5702, a lower ~8% MFN rather than 12%) also go to zero. Until 15 July the full MFN duty applies, as India was graduated out of UK DCTS textile preferences on 1 January 2026 — so CETA takes these lines from full duty straight to 0%, an advantage no non-FTA origin can match. Qualifying origin is met via CTH + value-content rules with exporter self-certification through DGFT registration. Imported textiles must also meet UK REACH substance limits and carry an English-language fibre-composition label under the 2012 Regulations.

United Kingdom buyer questions

Asked before every first order.

What is the import duty on cotton textiles from India to the UK?: Zero on qualifying goods. Under the India–UK CETA, in force since 15 July 2026, the UK's 12% MFN duty on HS 6302 lines — terry towels and bed, bath and toilet linen — falls to zero, cotton bathrobes under HS 6207/6208 move the same way, and cotton floor mats under HS 5702 go from roughly 8% to zero. Note this comes from CETA specifically: India was graduated out of UK DCTS textile preferences on 1 January 2026.
How long is shipping from India to the UK?: 20 to 25 days FOB JNPT or Mundra, routing Suez to the English Channel, plus the road leg from the arrival terminal.
Which UK ports do you ship to?: Felixstowe on the east coast, Southampton on the south, London Gateway on the Thames, and Liverpool on the west. Routing is chosen per programme against sailing schedules and your delivery window.
What certifications do UK buyers require?: Sedex SMETA four-pillar is the common denominator and is required outright by Primark, Tesco and M&S. Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is expected on skin-contact categories, BRC for some retail buyers. UK REACH substance limits apply, and every piece must carry an English-language fibre-composition label under the Textile Products Regulations 2012.

Sourcing into United Kingdom?

Send the brief. We’ll route the corridor.

Open an RFQ