Supply chain diversification is now standard. For UK knitwear brands, Turkey is the China+1 that brings a real duty advantage, not just a second geography.
China+1 — the strategy of maintaining China relationships while building a second supply base — moved from risk-management theory to standard practice after 2020. For UK knitwear brands specifically, Turkey is the China+1 that works: zero duty under the UK–Türkiye FTA, 10–14 day freight to Felixstowe, a 250-piece MOQ and deep flat-knit capability. The combination adds up to a sourcing alternative that wins on landed cost and speed, not just geography.
A single-country supply chain leaves a brand exposed to factory shutdowns, port congestion, freight rate spikes or geopolitical disruption. Brands that relied entirely on Chinese knitwear production in 2020–2022 experienced exactly this. A Turkey programme for 30–50% of a knitwear range gives a meaningful alternative production base without wholesale disruption to existing relationships.
The UK–Türkiye FTA locks in 0% duty for qualifying Turkish knitwear. Chinese knitwear pays approximately 8–12% UK Global Tariff. That gap is a fixed structural cost differential — not a negotiating point — and it grows in absolute terms as product value increases. At premium yarn price points, the duty saving per unit is significant.
10–14 days versus 28–42 days from factory to UK changes what commercial models are viable. In-season reorders, capsule drops with fast replenishment and last-minute seasonal additions are possible from Turkey in a way they are not from China. The speed advantage is a business model enabler, not just a scheduling convenience.
UK brands with annual turnover above £36m must publish a Modern Slavery Act statement. A single-factory Turkish supply chain is substantially easier to document and audit than a multi-tier Chinese chain — simpler statement, lower audit cost, lower risk.
Most brands that add Turkey to their supply chain start with a pilot rather than a full range switch. The right pilot structure reduces risk while generating real data.
Select styles where Turkey's strengths are clearest: flat-knit construction (not jersey cut-and-sew), premium fibres (merino, cashmere, lambswool), or designs requiring intarsia/WHOLEGARMENT. Avoid starting with a style that already runs perfectly from China at commodity volume — that is not where Turkey adds value.
A 250-piece run covers a realistic first test quantity for most UK DTC and boutique programmes. It is small enough to limit risk if the quality or delivery does not meet expectations, and large enough to generate real customer feedback and sell-through data. Keep the China relationship running for the same category during the pilot.
Compare FOB + duty + freight + broker fees between Turkey and China for the pilot styles. Include the interest cost on the larger MOQ China requires. The Turkey programme should be evaluated on landed cost per unit, not FOB alone — and factoring in the working capital freed by the lower MOQ and faster transit.
After the pilot season, the data tells you whether to expand the Turkey programme. Most brands end up with a hybrid: Turkey for flat-knit knitwear (where it wins), China for jersey basics or high-volume commodity styles (where China still wins). The China relationship does not need to end — it just covers different products.
| Country | UK Duty (knitwear) | Transit to UK | Flat-knit depth | Min order |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | 0% (FTA) | 10–14 days | Deep | 250 |
| Portugal / Italy (EU) | 0% (TCA, origin rules) | 5–7 days truck | Good (specialist clusters) | 500–1,000+ |
| Vietnam | ~12% MFN | 28–35 days | Moderate; jersey stronger | 500–1,000 |
| Bangladesh | 0% (DCTS LDC) | 28–35 days | Limited (jersey dominant) | 500–2,000 |
| India | ~12% MFN | 28–35 days | Hand-knit strong; machine moderate | 500–1,000 |
Turkey's combination of 0% duty, shortest non-EU transit and lowest flat-knit MOQ makes it the strongest China+1 for UK knitwear programmes specifically. EU options offer shorter transit but higher cost; other Asian options require MFN duty or lack flat-knit depth.
Not inherently. Most UK brands running a Turkey programme continue their China relationship for other product categories — jersey basics, woven outerwear, accessories. The split is usually by product type, not adversarial. If you have a strong China relationship for flat-knit knitwear specifically, a pilot conversation with us about different styles (fine-gauge merino, WHOLEGARMENT) rather than exact duplicates is a gentler start.
We run Shima Seiki (Japan) and Stoll CMS (Germany) — the same machine brands as leading Chinese workshops. Quality depends on the factory, not the country. Our in-house QC, single-site production and EU-export track record are points of comparison to evaluate — not the country alone.
Turkey requires the same import admin as China — customs declaration, EUR.1 for the FTA preference claim, and standard freight forwarding. Your broker handles both. The administrative overhead is not a meaningful barrier for a brand already managing UK customs for any import programme.
The UK–Türkiye FTA is a bilateral treaty, and there is no current indication of change. The strategic rationale — flat-knit capability, short freight lane, lower MOQ, single-site supply chain — holds independent of the tariff rate. The FTA is the financial cherry; the other factors are the structural reason.
Send us a style you currently source from China. We'll quote it, and you can compare on landed cost — with the duty, the freight and the MOQ all factored in.
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