Key facts
- India exported US$15,989 million of ready-made garments in FY2024-25 (static.pib.gov.in).
- Largest destinations by value: unavailable
- 3 production clusters mapped, in Gujarat; Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu; Punjab; Gujarat; Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu.
- Market guides for 15 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: ISO 9001, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GOTS, Sedex SMETA audit.
- Typical minimum order: 500-1,000 pcs per style/colour for custom; lower for stock blanks (typical).
Product overview
India exported about US$16 bn of ready-made garments in FY2024-25 (DGCI&S). Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu is the country's knitwear capital, with garment exports reported at around US$4.7 bn in FY2024-25 (tier-5 industry data).
Tiruppur's vertically linked supply chain covers knitting, dyeing, printing, stitching and packing for single-jersey T-shirts, polos (pique), fleece sweatshirts, innerwear and kidswear. Buyers range from global brands and supermarkets to promotional-merchandise companies and small e-commerce labels.
Organic cotton (GOTS), recycled blends and social compliance (SMETA, BSCI, WRAP) are routine requirements for European and US buyers.
HS note: Polo shirts are usually 6105.10 (men's shirts, knitted, cotton); sweatshirts/hoodies 6110.20; man-made fibre T-shirts 6109.90.
Specifications
| Fabric | 100% cotton single jersey 140-220 GSM; pique 180-240 GSM for polos; CVC 60/40 (typical) |
|---|---|
| Yarn | Combed or compact 24s-40s (typical) |
| Shrinkage | ≤ 5% length and width (typical) |
| Spirality | ≤ 5% (typical) |
| Sizes | XS-3XL; kids 2-14 years (typical) |
| Decoration | Screen print, DTG, embroidery, heat transfer (typical) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Blanks / basics
Solid-colour T-shirts for retail basics and print-on-demand.
Branded fashion
Brand-designed T-shirts with prints and washes.
Organic / recycled
GOTS organic and recycled-content blends.
Promotional
Lower-GSM tees with logo print for events.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Retail-ready | Folded, polybagged (recycled poly on request), size-ratio cartons with barcodes | — |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP ~20,000-30,000 pcs (volume-limited) · 40' HC ~40,000-70,000 pcs depending on GSM and pack. Many orders ship LCL or air for speed
Customisation: Fabrics, colours, fits, prints, labels, hang tags, packaging
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Tamil Nadu
Tiruppur, Coimbatore
Punjab
Ludhiana
Knitwear, hosiery, winterwear
Uttar Pradesh
Gautam Buddh Nagar
Noida garment cluster
Market requirements by region
European Union
Big Tiruppur market; India lost EU GSP preferences for 2026-2028 (Implementing Reg. (EU) 2025/1909), so MFN duty applies; the EU-India FTA concluded on 27 Jan 2026 is not yet in force. Apparel now pays MFN duty (around 12% for many lines), which hurts price competitiveness against Bangladesh.
United States & Canada
US labelling: FTC fibre content, country of origin and care labels; flammability rules (16 CFR 1610 for apparel). US duty on Indian goods as of 22 Oct 2026 (per our compliance research, secondary legal analysis): MFN rate plus a 10% Section 301 tariff in force since 24 Jul 2026; Section 232 goods (steel, aluminium, copper, autos/parts) pay the 232 rate instead. Re-verify before quoting landed cost.
United Kingdom
UK-India CETA has been in force since 15 Jul 2026; claim preference with a CETA proof of origin (DCTS proofs are not interchangeable). Textiles are among the main beneficiaries of zero-duty access under CETA.
Australia & New Zealand
India-Australia ECTA (in force 29 Dec 2022) gives zero duty on most tariff lines with a preferential certificate of origin.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Quality control
- • Fabric tests (GSM, shrinkage, spirality, colour fastness)
- • Inline and final AQL 2.5 inspection
- • Social audits (SMETA/BSCI/WRAP)
Certifications available
- • ISO 9001
- • OEKO-TEX Standard 100
- • GOTS
- • Sedex SMETA audit
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading / airway bill
- • Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- • Inspection certificate
- • Lab test reports
- • GOTS transaction certificate where applicable
- • Preferential origin proof (CETA/ECTA)
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India exportsLine: Ready-made garments | 15,989 | verified | static.pib.gov.in |
Top destinations: unavailable
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
What GSM should I choose?
140-160 GSM for promotional and lightweight tees, 180-200 GSM for retail basics, 220+ GSM for heavyweight streetwear.
Can you supply blanks for printing?
Yes. Stock or made-to-order blanks in standard colours, with a lower MOQ for stock items.
Do you offer organic cotton?
Yes, GOTS-certified, with transaction certificates per shipment.
How long is production?
Usually 45-75 days from approved sample for custom orders, depending on fabric and decoration (ASSUMPTION).
Can you add our labels and packaging?
Yes: woven or printed neck labels, care labels, hang tags and retail polybags.
Request a quote for Knitted T-Shirts, Polos & Basics
Tell us grade, quantity and destination. We reply with options, packaging and pricing on your Incoterm.
