Garments & apparel · India → Germany
Garment Sourcing from India for German Brands and Retailers
German fashion brands, discounters, mail-order companies and workwear suppliers source garments from India, often with strong demands on documentation.
Germany follows EU rules, plus national due-diligence and packaging requirements. Sources are below.
Last reviewed: 28 October 2026
Garment buyers we support in Germany
German buyers usually ask for detailed restricted-substance test reports, German-language labelling and clear supply-chain maps.
Garment import rules to check for Germany
| Rule | What it means | Status | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU duty status | The EU–India FTA was concluded on 27 Jan 2026 but is not in force. GSP preferences for Indian textiles and clothing (section S-11a) are suspended for 2026–2028, so standard duty applies. | Checked | eur-lex.europa.eu |
| Textile fibre labelling | Regulation (EU) 1007/2011 sets fibre names and composition labelling, in the language of the country of sale. | Checked | eur-lex.europa.eu |
| REACH restricted substances | Annex XVII limits azo dyes, nickel, certain phthalates and other substances in textiles and trims. | Checked | eur-lex.europa.eu |
| General Product Safety Regulation | Consumer garments need an EU-based responsible economic operator and traceability information. | Checked | eur-lex.europa.eu |
| Ban on destroying unsold apparel | Large companies may not destroy unsold clothing and footwear from 19 July 2026 (Ecodesign Regulation 2024/1781). | Checked | environment.ec.europa.eu |
| Supply Chain Act (LkSG) | Large companies must still carry out supply-chain due diligence and keep internal records; external reports to BAFA have not been required since 1 Oct 2025. | Checked | bafa.de |
| Grüner Knopf | The government-run textile label checks company due diligence and product criteria; optional but widely recognised. | Checked | gruener-knopf.de |
| Packaging register (VerpackG) | Companies placing packaged goods on the German market must register with LUCID. | Checked | verpackungsregister.org |
General information checked on the date shown. It is not legal, customs or tax advice. Confirm your tariff code and product requirements with your customs broker or the official source before you order.
Labels, testing and documents
- Chemicals
- REACH and buyer restricted-substance list test reports.
- Labels
- German-language fibre composition and care.
- Due diligence
- Factory, subcontractor and fabric mill details for supply-chain risk analysis.
Shipment and order planning
Most shipments enter through Hamburg, Bremerhaven or Rotterdam. Plan test reports and supply-chain data before production starts.
Garment sourcing guides
Germany garment buyer questions
Do Indian garments get reduced duty in Germany?
Not yet. The EU–India FTA is concluded but not in force, and GSP for Indian textiles and clothing is suspended for 2026–2028 (checked 28 Oct 2026).
Does the LkSG apply to my company?
It applies to companies with 1,000 or more employees in Germany. Smaller buyers often receive the same requests from their customers.
How do you check garment quality before shipment?
We run in-line and final AQL inspections against the sealed sample and arrange REACH or customer-specific lab tests through accredited labs when required.
Other destination markets
Submit your product requirements
Source garments from India for Germany
Share a photo, reference product or tech pack. We will identify suitable verified manufacturers and explain the next steps — no obligation.
- Phone & WhatsApp
- +91 93684 37527