If you're importing knitwear from China for the first time, the paperwork can feel overwhelming. Commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, test reports — what do you actually need, and why? This guide explains each document in plain language, so you can have an informed conversation with your factory and freight forwarder.
The core four documents (every shipment)
- Commercial Invoice — lists the goods, quantities, unit prices, total value, and buyer/seller details. Used for customs clearance and import duty calculation. Must match the packing list exactly.
- Packing List — details exactly what is in each carton: style, colour, size breakdown, gross and net weight. Your warehouse team will use this to check the shipment on arrival.
- Bill of Lading (sea) / Air Waybill (air) — issued by the shipping company. This is the legal title document for your goods. Keep it safe.
- Certificate of Origin — confirms goods were made in China. Required for preferential duty rates under trade agreements. Form E is used for ASEAN. Form A (GSP) is used for EU and some other markets.
Additional documents by market
| Market | Additional requirements |
|---|---|
| European Union | REACH compliance, fibre content label (must match actual content), CE marking for children's products |
| United States | CPSC compliance for children's products, fibre content per FTC rules, CA Prop 65 if applicable |
| United Kingdom | Post-Brexit UK REACH, UKCA marking for some products |
| Australia | Fibre content disclosure, ACCC product safety standards |
Fibre content test reports
For most markets, you need a laboratory test report confirming the actual fibre content matches what's on the label. This is not optional — mislabelling is a serious compliance issue. Reputable labs (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek) can test a sample garment in 5–7 days. Cost is typically USD 50–100 per style.
If you're using merino or other certified yarns, ask your factory for the yarn supplier's certification documents to support your own test reports.
OEKO-TEX certification
OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certifies that a product contains no harmful substances. It's not legally required in most markets, but increasingly demanded by retailers and consumers. For factories in Dalang, OEKO-TEX certification is common among export-focused manufacturers.
Who handles all this?
Your factory handles the commercial invoice, packing list, and certificate of origin. Your freight forwarder handles the bill of lading and customs filing. You (or a compliance consultant) handle test reports and market-specific certifications. A good factory will help you understand what's needed and coordinate with your forwarder — ask specifically about this when evaluating factories.
Ready to start your knitwear project?
Lin Sweater Factory — Dalang, Dongguan. MOQ from 50 pcs. Reply within 24 hours.