Cotton Knit Hosiery
Knitted socks, hosiery and innerwear from integrated knit units.
Sourcing cotton knit hosiery from India
Crafted in Cotton, Cotton Knit Hosiery sit within India's textiles & apparel export base, produced across Ludhiana (Punjab). Ludhiana anchors the supply, with its own FOB, MOQ and lead-time economics listed below.
Indicative pricing runs $0.40–$2.50 per pair at minimum orders from 1,000 units, with 30–50-day production lead times before ocean freight. Under India's RoDTEP scheme, exporters recover 2.4% of FOB in embedded-duty refunds — part of why landed cost runs about 16% below comparable China sourcing. For customs, cotton knit hosiery are classified under HS 6115.
A buyer's guide to sourcing cotton knit hosiery from India
Practical detail for importers — what to check on quality, how the product varies, and the compliance and documentation that applies in export markets.
What to inspect before shipment
Tiruppur is the hosiery and knit hub. For socks and hosiery, check yarn count and gauge, toe-seam (hand-linked versus rosso), elastane recovery in the welt, and dimensional stability after wash. Confirm colour-fastness and that combed versus carded cotton matches the spec — combed gives the softer, lint-resistant hand buyers usually expect.
Variants and customization
Output spans ankle, crew, knee-high, compression and sports socks, plus tights and leggings, in cotton-rich and performance blends. Customization covers gauge, cuff, terry/cushion soles, jacquard or embroidered logos and packaging. Specify single versus multipack and any branded packaging early, as it affects make-up time.
Compliance and export documentation
Knitted hosiery falls under HS 6115. EU/US buyers commonly require Oeko-Tex Standard 100, and organic lines need GOTS. Fibre-content and care labelling must meet destination rules. For compression hosiery with a medical claim, additional regulatory requirements apply — confirm the intended positioning.
Where to source cotton knit hosiery
India vs the alternatives
See how India compares to competing source countries for cotton knit hosiery.
Import cotton knit hosiery to your market
Duty access, freight transit and landed economics for shipping cotton knit hosiery from India to your country.
Buyer FAQ
Sourcing cotton knit hosiery from India — FAQs
- Minimum order quantities for Cotton Knit Hosiery typically run 1,000–5,000 units, with pilot runs negotiable on first orders.
- Indicative FOB pricing is $0.40–$2.50 per pair, about 16% below comparable China landed cost once tariffs and India's RoDTEP refund are factored in.
- Plan for 30–50 days production plus ocean transit. Cotton Knit Hosiery is classified under HS 6115.
- The primary hub is Ludhiana, though several clusters produce it. Each hub page lists its own FOB, MOQ and lead-time economics.
Indian exporters in this category
Established export houses with relevant HS focus. Listings are compiled from public records — run your own due diligence.
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