Sourcing cotton T-shirts from India for the EU
The EU–India trade agreement will bring textile duties to zero once it takes effect. What that means for blanks and private-label T-shirts, and how to plan now.
Where the EU deal stands
The EU and India concluded their free trade agreement in January 2026. In September 2026 the European Commission sent it to the EU Council for approval. Signature is expected around the end of 2026, followed by European Parliament consent and India's ratification, with entry into force targeted for 2027.
Once it applies, Indian textiles and clothing get zero duty on all tariff lines. Today, Indian apparel still faces EU duties of up to 12%.
Plan now, benefit later. Supplier qualification, sampling and fit approval take months. Buyers who line up Indian suppliers now can move volume as soon as the duty drops.
The tariff code
| HS code | Covers |
|---|---|
| 6109.10 | T-shirts, singlets and vests, knitted or crocheted, of cotton. |
| 6109.90 | The same garments of other textile materials, such as polyester-majority blends. |
Check the current EU rate for your code in TARIC; we confirm it before quoting.
Where T-shirts are made in India
- Tiruppur (Tamil Nadu): India's knitwear capital, with integrated knitting, dyeing, printing and stitching, and deep experience with European brands.
- Ludhiana (Punjab): hosiery and knitwear, strong in winter wear and fleece alongside basics.
- Bengaluru and Kolkata: larger garment exporters and value-for-money basics.
What to specify
- Fabric: single jersey in combed or compact cotton; 160–180 gsm for everyday blanks, 200 gsm and up for heavyweight.
- Fit and sizes: your size chart with tolerances, neck and sleeve construction.
- Colour and wash: shade references, pre-shrinking and garment-wash requirements.
- Branding: private labels, neck prints, hangtags and polybag or retail packing.
- Sustainability: GOTS for organic cotton, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, and traceable cotton where your customers ask for it.
EU rules to keep in mind
- Fibre labelling: the EU Textile Regulation requires fibre composition on the label in the language of the selling country.
- Chemicals: REACH restricts substances such as certain azo dyes; suppliers should test to your restricted substances list.
- Origin: once the agreement applies, the garment must meet its rules of origin, which can depend on where the fabric was knitted. We check this against your supplier's fabric source.
Sources
- European Commission: the EU–India trade agreement
- Indian Defence News: EU Commission sends India trade deal to the Council (September 2026)
- PIB, Government of India: India–EU FTA and the textile and apparel sector
- European Commission: TARIC, the EU customs tariff database
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 on textile fibre names and labelling
This guide is general information, checked on 28 September 2026. Duty rates and rules change, and your exact tariff code decides what applies. We confirm the current rate for your product before we quote.