Exporting Fashion and Textiles: markets, headings and fairs
Fashion and textiles is a global sector worth hundreds of billions in annual imports. The US, UK and Switzerland are the largest buyers. As a Spanish…
Published on 16 September 2026Updated on 28 September 2026
Fashion and textiles is a global sector worth hundreds of billions in annual imports. The US, UK and Switzerland are the largest buyers. As a Spanish exporter, you compete on design, quality and compliance with safety standards, customs procedures and tariff classifications across 16 tariff chapters covering raw materials, fabrics, apparel and footwear.
Tariff chapters in this sector
- Raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and leatherChapter 41
- Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of animal gut (other than silk-worm gut)Chapter 42
- Furskins and artificial fur; manufactures thereofChapter 43
- SilkChapter 50
- Wool, fine or coarse animal hair; horsehair yarn and woven fabricChapter 51
- CottonChapter 52
- Vegetable textile fibres; paper yarn and woven fabrics of paper yarnChapter 53
- Man-made filaments; strip and the like of man-made textile materialsChapter 54
- Man-made staple fibresChapter 55
- Wadding, felt and nonwovens, special yarns; twine, cordage, ropes and cables and articles thereofChapter 56
- Fabrics; special woven fabrics, tufted textile fabrics, lace, tapestries, trimmings, embroideryChapter 58
- Textile fabrics; impregnated, coated, covered or laminated; textile articles of a kind suitable for industrial useChapter 59
- Fabrics; knitted or crochetedChapter 60
- Apparel and clothing accessories; knitted or crochetedChapter 61
- Apparel and clothing accessories; not knitted or crochetedChapter 62
- Textiles, made up articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; ragsChapter 63
- Footwear; gaiters and the like; parts of such articlesChapter 64
- Headgear and parts thereofChapter 65
- Natural, cultured pearls; precious, semi-precious stones; precious metals, metals clad with precious metal, and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coinChapter 71
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| United States | 306,410,208,892 |
| Switzerland | 252,307,529,284 |
| United Kingdom | 251,059,408,593 |
| Hong Kong SAR China | 168,537,539,244 |
| China | 166,067,798,430 |
| Germany | 118,622,667,038 |
| India | 106,513,735,228 |
| Italy | 69,823,375,776 |
| France | 69,364,353,387 |
| Japan | 60,859,922,988 |
| Canada | 47,233,759,317 |
| Türkiye | 43,023,682,685 |
| Spain | 42,958,345,508 |
| South Korea | 38,402,839,049 |
| Thailand | 36,725,172,171 |
Imports declared by each country from the world. Countries report with a delay: the period is the latest with consolidated data.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 28 September 2026
Trade fairs in this sector
- LINEAPELLERho
- MICAM MilanoRho
- MOMAD, Salón Internacional de Moda, Calzado y AccesoriosMadrid
- Pitti Immagine UomoFirenze
- Première Vision ParisParís
- TechtextilFrankfurt am Main
- Texworld Apparel Sourcing ParisParís
Exporting fashion and textiles from Spain
Fashion and textiles spans raw materials, fabrics, apparel, footwear and accessories. Each sits under a different tariff chapter (41 to 71), and each faces its own import duties, quotas, rules of origin and compliance requirements in the destination market.
Your tariff classification determines the duty rate you pay. A cotton T-shirt (Chapter 62) enters the US at a different rate than a wool scarf (Chapter 51) or leather shoes (Chapter 64). Misclassify and customs holds your shipment: get it right before you quote.
Customs brokers and freight forwarders handle classification, documentation and duties. Their fees are typically 1–3 percent of cargo value. Budget for them early: they catch classification errors before shipment, not after.
Spanish fashion exporters often sell through distributors, agents or direct to retail chains. B2B trade databases help you find buyers by country, product type and company size. Trade shows remain the fastest way to build relationships in your target market.
Questions about exporting fashion and textiles
Which markets should I prioritize as a Spanish exporter?
The US is the world's largest buyer, importing over USD 306 billion annually. The UK and Switzerland follow. Within the EU, Germany is the biggest importer. Start with markets where you have a competitive edge: design, price, delivery time or an existing relationship. Smaller markets like Canada and South Korea also import significant volumes.
How do I choose between shipping by sea and air?
Sea freight is cheaper (typically USD 1,500–3,000 per container) but slower (3–4 weeks to the US). Air is fast (3–5 days) but costs 5–10 times more per kilogram. For high-value, time-sensitive items (seasonal collections, made-to-order), air often makes sense. For bulk, commodity items, sea is standard. Your freight forwarder can quote both and help you decide based on margin and deadline.
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