Side by side · 180 GSM cotton tee, 1,000 pcs, to Germany
| — | BANGLADESH | CHINA | VIETNAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOB / pc | $2.90–3.60 | $3.60–4.40 | $3.30–4.00 |
| EU duty (HS 61) | 0% · EBA | 12% · MFN | phasing to 0% · EVFTA |
| Sea freight / pc | $0.14–0.22 | $0.10–0.16 | $0.11–0.18 |
| Landed / pc | $3.04–3.82 | $4.14–5.10 | depends on EVFTA stage |
| Typical MOQ | 500 | 300 | 500 |
| Lead time | 45–60d | 30–45d | 40–55d |
Illustrative · Bangladesh and China landed cost = (FOB + freight) × (1 + duty) · Vietnam duty follows the EU–Vietnam FTA phase-down, check the current rate · sources: EU TARIC, forwarder rate cards, Oct 2026
Where does Bangladesh win?
Cotton knits, denim, basic wovens and sweaters at 500+ pieces. Duty-free access to the EU (EBA), UK (DCTS), Japan, Canada and Australia, and a garment minimum wage of BDT 12,500 a month (since December 2023), a fraction of coastal Chinese manufacturing wages. Vertically integrated knit mills mean yarn-to-garment under one roof.
- Cotton tees, polos, fleece
- Denim and twill bottoms
- Sweaters and cardigans
- Volumes above 500 pcs per colour
Where does China still win?
Technical synthetics, seamless, outerwear with complex trims, very small runs and anything needing a 30-day turn. China’s trim and fabric ecosystem is deeper and sampling is faster.
- Performance synthetics
- Padded and technical outerwear
- Runs under 300 pcs
- Speed-to-market under 6 weeks
What is the risk conversation?
Bangladesh’s risks are compliance history, port congestion at Chattogram, and the LDC graduation scheduled for 24 November 2026 (a deferral request was pending in October 2026), which changes some preferences. The EU continues EBA for three years after graduation; see EBA and LDC graduation explained. We share factory audit dates and certificate expiry with buyers and build these risks into every costing.
- EU duty, Bangladesh knit
- 0% (EBA)
- EU duty, China knit
- 12% (MFN)
- US duty, normal rate, cotton knit tee
- 16.5% + any additional measures
- Landed saving, cotton basics to EU
- 15–30%
- LDC graduation (scheduled)
- 24 Nov 2026 · EU EBA +3 years
SOURCES BELOW · CITE THISAs of 01 Oct 2026
Frequently asked questions
Is Bangladesh cheaper than China for clothing?
For cotton basics above 500 pieces, yes. In the EU, UK and Japan it is typically 15–30% cheaper landed once duty is included.
Is quality worse in Bangladesh?
Not for knits and denim. The variance is between factories, not countries, which is why we inspect at AQL 2.5 on every lot.
What about the US?
Neither country gets a duty preference in the US. Bangladesh pays the normal rate (16.5% on cotton knit T-shirts) plus any additional measures in force; China pays the same plus Section 301 and other measures. US tariff rules have changed several times since 2025, so check the current schedule before you quote. Bangladesh has generally landed cheaper, by a smaller margin than in the EU.
How does LDC graduation affect duty?
The EU extends EBA for three years after graduation; the UK, Japan and others have their own transition rules. Read the EBA guide for the current timetable.
Sources
- EU TARIC customs tariff database · Oct 1, 2026
- Regulation (EU) No 978/2012 (EBA) · Oct 25, 2012
- US International Trade Commission, HTS 6109.10 · Oct 1, 2026
- Bangladesh Minimum Wage Board, garment sector minimum wage · Dec 1, 2023
- Giga Sourcing illustrative model and forwarder rate cards · Oct 1, 2026
Run the comparison on your own product
FOB, freight and duty for Bangladesh, China and other origins, to your door.