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Sourcing Cotton Fabric: India vs China
China offers the widest capacity, range and speed, but rising costs, US and EU tariffs and supply-risk sentiment are pushing buyers to diversify. India is the main China-plus-one destination for cotton fabric: large domestic cotton crop, deep weaving base, English-language trade, and, for UK buyers, duty-free access under the India–UK trade deal. India's constraints are longer inland logistics to port and, at the very top end, less finishing depth than China.
| India | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and range | Very deep | Broadest in the world |
| Tariff exposure (US / EU) | Lower, and falling (FTAs) | Higher — Section 301, EU trade defence |
| UK duty | Duty-free under India–UK deal | Standard tariff |
| Lead time | Competitive; inland logistics longer | Fast, dense port infrastructure |
| Risk sentiment | Rising as a stable alternative | Concentration risk a live concern |
Choose India
You are diversifying away from China, need duty-free UK landed cost, or want a lower-tariff lane.
Choose China
You need the absolute widest range or fastest turnaround and tariff exposure is acceptable.
Common questions
Is Indian cotton fabric subject to US cotton-origin rules?
US Customs enforces a Withhold Release Order on cotton from one Chinese region. Indian-grown, Indian-spun, Indian-woven cloth is outside that, but you should still expect to provide an origin and traceability declaration; we supply one with every shipment.
How much cost difference is there, really?
For commodity greige and basic constructions the mill price is broadly comparable. The gap that moves the decision is landed cost after duty — which for UK buyers now favours India — plus the risk premium buyers assign to single-country concentration.
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Not sure which fits your spec? Send us the end use and we will recommend one.