Custom Team Sportswear From China for Clubs in Australia, UK, Germany and the US: Shipping, Duties and Sizing

Published September 27, 2026 · Last updated September 28, 2026 · Reviewed by the RUIJUN production team

Short answer: clubs, schools and team dealers in Australia, the UK, Germany and the US order custom team sportswear from China because the combination of low minimums (10 pieces), full sublimation and 4–6 week delivery is hard to match locally. The practical differences by country are shipping method, import duty and sizing standards – below is what buyers from each market should know before ordering, what the landed cost looks like per jersey, and how RUIJUN handles each one.

Shipping and delivery time

Destination	Express courier	Air freight	Sea freight
Australia / New Zealand	4–7 days	7–10 days	18–25 days
United Kingdom / Ireland	5–8 days	8–12 days	30–40 days
Germany / Netherlands / France	5–8 days	8–12 days	30–40 days
United States / Canada	5–8 days	8–12 days	25–35 days
UAE / Saudi Arabia	4–6 days	6–9 days	20–28 days

Express is the default for club orders under about 100 kg (roughly 250 jerseys). Above that, sea freight cuts shipping cost by more than half. Transit times are port-to-door and exclude production; customs clearance adds 1–3 days for express and up to a week for sea.

What shipping costs per jersey

A packed sublimated jersey weighs about 250 g including its poly bag and share of the carton. Typical rates from our factory in 2026: express US$6–9 per kg to the US, UK and Australia (drops to US$5–7 above 50 kg); air freight US$4–6 per kg; sea freight about US$1.5–2.5 per kg on LCL. So shipping adds roughly US$1.5–2.5 per jersey by express for a 100-piece order, and under US$0.6 by sea for 500 pieces or more.

Import duty and tax

• Australia: 5 % duty on apparel plus 10 % GST; orders under AU$1,000 are duty-free but still attract GST when sold by an overseas seller.
• UK: 12 % duty on most knitted sportswear plus 20 % VAT; VAT applies from £0 for goods sent from outside the UK.
• EU (Germany, etc.): 12 % duty plus local VAT (19 % Germany, 21 % Netherlands); no low-value exemption since 2021.
• USA: apparel duty rates vary by item (typically 16–32 % for polyester knitwear) and additional China-origin tariffs may apply; check current rates before ordering.

Rates change – ask us for a DDP quote (duties and taxes paid) if you want one landed price with no surprises at delivery. With DDP we pre-pay duty and VAT through the courier, and you receive the goods with nothing further to pay.

Landed cost example: 100 jerseys

	Australia	UK	Germany	USA
Factory price (100 × US$5.60)	US$560	US$560	US$560	US$560
Express shipping, 25 kg	US$170	US$200	US$200	US$190
Duty	US$28 (5 %)	US$67 (12 %)	US$67 (12 %)	US$90–180 (varies)
GST / VAT	US$76 (10 %)	US$165 (20 %)	US$157 (19 %)	Sales tax not at import
Landed per jersey	about US$8.30	about US$9.90	about US$9.80	about US$8.40–9.30

Figures are indicative for 2026 and depend on the exact HS code, the courier’s clearance fee and exchange rates. UK and EU VAT-registered dealers can reclaim the VAT. Current ex-factory prices for every product are in our 2026 price guide.

Sizing standards

Australian and UK clubs usually work from UK/EU size charts; US teams from US charts, which run about one size larger at the same label; German clubs often ask for a slimmer European fit. Send us the size chart you already use, or ask for ours in your country’s convention, and order a size-set sample for a first order. As a reference, our adult soccer size M is 110 cm chest and 72 cm body length (player height 180–185 cm), and our sizing runs about one letter smaller than US sizing; we also cut women’s and youth ranges. Full tables are in our size chart guide.

Payment

Most clubs and dealers pay through Alibaba Trade Assurance – funds are held by Alibaba until you confirm receipt, which removes the risk of paying an overseas supplier you have not met. Bank transfer (T/T) in USD, EUR, GBP or AUD and PayPal for small orders are also accepted. Standard terms are a 30 % deposit to start and the balance before shipment, with photos of finished goods sent first. Trade Assurance orders can be paid by card in your own currency.

Communication and time zones

We are UTC+8. Australia is 2–3 hours ahead, Europe 6–7 hours behind, the US 12–15 hours behind. Amy replies on WhatsApp and email within one working day, and mockups are sent within 24–48 hours of the brief. For US customers, messages sent in your afternoon are answered by the time you wake up.

Country-specific notes

• Australia: Summer leagues run through the hottest months – micro mesh at 160 gsm is the most requested fabric. Biosecurity rarely affects textiles, but wooden pallets need ISPM-15 treatment for sea shipments; we ship on plastic pallets.
• UK: Since 2021 all imports carry VAT; couriers charge a clearance fee of £10–15 per shipment on top. Many clubs ask for a Kit Sponsor logo on the sleeve – sublimated in at no cost.
• Germany / EU: Kits must carry fibre-content and care labels in the local language; we print them on request. An EORI number is needed for the importer of record – a club or dealer can obtain one free.
• USA: Duty is the largest variable; some clubs ship to a US-based dealer who imports in volume. Care labels must state fibre content and country of origin (Made in China).

What clubs in these markets typically order

Soccer and rugby kits and training wear in Australia and the UK; soccer, handball and volleyball kits in Germany; soccer, basketball, baseball and spirit wear in the US; soccer and cricket teamwear in the Middle East. All are made on the same lines with the same 10-piece MOQ. See the product pages for soccer, basketball, baseball and training and teamwear.

FAQ

Who is the importer of record? With DDP, we handle clearance and the courier delivers duty-paid. With DAP/EXW, the club or dealer is the importer and pays duty and tax on delivery.

Can you ship to several addresses? Yes – a dealer can have us pack by club and ship each carton separately; each shipment is priced on its own weight.

Do you have a minimum for sea freight? Sea freight is worthwhile from about 300 kg (roughly 1,000 jerseys); below that, express or air is cheaper once you add port charges.

What currency do you quote in? USD by default; EUR, GBP and AUD on request at the day’s rate.

Get a quote for your country – tell us the destination and we include shipping and, if you want, DDP duties in the price.

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