How to Export T-Shirts from India: Specifications, Compliance and Buyers
T-shirts are one of the simplest garments to make and one of the most competitive to sell. Tirupur alone supplies knitwear to brands across the world, and Ludhiana, Kolkata, Delhi NCR and Bengaluru also export. Buyers range from promotional and uniform companies to fashion brands, and each one cares about different specifications.
To export T-shirts from India, get an IEC, GST registration with an LUT, and an AEPC RCMC. T-shirts fall under HS code 6109 (6109 10 for cotton). Agree the fabric, GSM, colours, print method, size chart and packing in writing, approve a sample, inspect the order before shipment, and quote per piece on FOB terms with an advance or letter of credit.
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Registrations you need
- IEC, GST and LUT: see the IEC guide and the LUT guide.
- AEPC RCMC: needed to claim incentives such as RoSCTL. See the RCMC guide and export incentive schemes.
HS code and specifications
T-shirts, singlets and vests that are knitted fall under HS heading 6109: 6109 10 for cotton and 6109 90 for other fibres. Polo shirts usually fall under 6105 (men's knitted shirts) or 6106 (women's). Confirm with your customs broker using our HS code guide.
A complete T-shirt specification covers:
- Fabric: single jersey, pique, rib or interlock; combed or carded cotton; organic cotton, polyester or blends.
- GSM: 140 to 160 for lightweight promotional shirts, 180 to 220 for premium and heavyweight styles.
- Finish: bio-wash, silicone wash, pre-shrunk; shrinkage and colour fastness limits.
- Decoration: screen print, DTF, DTG, embroidery or heat transfer, with Pantone colour references.
- Labels and packing: neck label or tagless print, care label, hang tag, poly bag and carton marks.
Compliance and certificates
Labelling rules depend on the market: the USA requires fibre content, origin and care labels, and the UK and EU require fibre composition and chemical compliance under REACH. Many brands ask for OEKO-TEX Standard 100 for fabric, GOTS for organic cotton, and a social audit such as amfori BSCI, SMETA or WRAP for the factory. Merchant exporters should check that the factory they use holds the certificates the buyer asks for. See merchant vs manufacturer exporter.
Sampling and inspection
Send a fit and fabric sample first, then a pre-production sample in the approved colour and print. Agree the size chart with tolerances, the size ratio and the packing ratio per carton. Before shipment, inspect at the agreed AQL level, often AQL 2.5 for major defects, and share the report with the buyer. Our guide on sending samples covers courier options.
Pricing and payment
Quote per piece FOB, with the fabric, GSM, colours, print and sizes stated. Cost includes yarn and knitting, dyeing, cutting, stitching, printing, trims, washing, packing, testing and inland freight. Small orders of blanks can move by air or courier; bulk orders go by sea, often as LCL first and FCL later. See FCL vs LCL. For new buyers, ask for an advance with the balance against documents, or a letter of credit.
Where to find T-shirt buyers
The USA, the UK, Germany, Canada, Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka all buy Indian T-shirts. On BuyGenix you can browse men's T-shirt requirements, polo T-shirt buyers and country pages such as T-shirt buyers in the UK and Canada.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for cotton T-shirts?
Knitted cotton T-shirts fall under HS code 6109 10. T-shirts of other fibres fall under 6109 90.
What GSM is best for export T-shirts?
It depends on the buyer. Promotional shirts are often 140 to 160 GSM, while fashion and premium styles are usually 180 to 220 GSM.
Which city is best for T-shirt sourcing in India?
Tirupur is the largest knitwear export hub. Ludhiana, Kolkata, Delhi NCR and Bengaluru also have strong T-shirt manufacturing.
Do I need certificates to export T-shirts?
No certificate is required by law to export, but many buyers ask for OEKO-TEX, GOTS for organic cotton, or a social audit such as BSCI or WRAP.
Ready to export garments?
We handle IEC, GST, LUT and RCMC registration so you can start quoting T-shirt buyers.
See RCMC registration →Looking for buyers for your products?
See live requirements from importers and bulk buyers in India and abroad: what they want, how much, and where. Contact them directly with a BuyGenix membership.
