Shipping Custom Apparel to the UK & USA: Lead Times, Duties & Logistics
By The Velocity Wear Team
A great product still has to arrive — on time, undamaged and without a surprise customs bill. For brands importing custom apparel into the UK and USA, logistics is where margins and launch dates are quietly won or lost. This guide demystifies lead times, incoterms, duties and the common mistakes that cause delays.
Lead times: plan backwards from your launch
Total lead time is more than production. Build your timeline backwards from your launch date and include every stage:
- Design & mockup approval — allow a few days of back-and-forth.
- Production — typically around 7–14 days for custom bulk orders, depending on quantity and decoration.
- Transit — express air freight is days; sea freight is weeks but far cheaper at volume.
- Customs clearance — usually quick, but build in a buffer for inspections.
Incoterms: know who pays for what
Incoterms define exactly where the seller’s responsibility ends and yours begins. Getting this in writing prevents nasty surprises. The two you will meet most often:
- DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) — the supplier handles shipping, duties and taxes; you get one all-in landed price. Simplest for most buyers.
- EXW / FOB — you take on freight and import costs from an earlier point. Potentially cheaper, but you manage the customs process.
Importing into the UK
Apparel imported into the UK is generally subject to import duty (rates vary by product and country of origin) plus VAT on the total value including duty and shipping. Low-value consignment relief is limited, so for commercial bulk orders you should assume duty and VAT apply. An EORI number is required for businesses importing into the UK, and a DDP quote rolls these costs into one figure so you can price accurately.
Importing into the USA
The USA applies duty based on the product classification (HTS code) and country of origin, with apparel rates that can be meaningful. The de minimis threshold has historically allowed lower-value shipments to enter duty-free, but the rules around it have tightened and continue to change — so never build a business plan on duty-free entry without confirming the current position. For commercial quantities, plan for duty and request a landed quote.
The most expensive shipping mistake is an unbudgeted one. Always confirm whether your quote includes duties and taxes before you sign off.
How to avoid customs delays
- Provide accurate commercial invoices with correct product descriptions and values.
- Confirm the correct HS/HTS classification for your apparel.
- Keep your EORI (UK) or importer details (USA) ready in advance.
- Prefer a DDP / landed quote if you want the supplier to manage clearance.
- Build a customs buffer into your launch timeline — do not cut it fine.
Air vs sea freight
For small or urgent orders, express air freight gets you stock in days. For large bulk orders where timing is flexible, sea freight dramatically reduces per-unit shipping cost. Many brands air-freight a first small batch to launch on time, then move bulk reorders by sea to protect margin.
Velocity Wear ships custom apparel to the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and worldwide with tracked delivery, and itemises shipping and lead time in every quote so there are no surprises at the border. Ask for a landed quote to your country.