An honest comparison for Irish brands deciding where to make their knitwear. Where Turkey wins — 0% EU duty via the Customs Union, MOQ, lead time, IP, communication — and where China still makes sense.
For most brands, China is the default — and for very large commodity runs it still competes on price. But for the mid-sized, design-led knitwear programmes we make, Turkey usually wins on the numbers that matter: faster delivery, 0% EU import duty via the EU–Turkey Customs Union (A.TR) versus ~12% MFN on China-made knitwear, stronger IP protection and the same Japanese/German machines. Here is the honest breakdown.
| Factor | Turkey (Kiwi) | China |
|---|---|---|
| Sample lead time | 10–14 days | 2–3 weeks |
| Bulk lead time | 45–60 days | 6–8 weeks |
| Transit to Ireland (Dublin) | ~12–18 days (ocean) | 4–6 weeks |
| Transit to mainland EU (truck) | 5–7 days | 4–6 weeks (ocean) |
| EU import duty | 0% (Customs Union, A.TR) | ~12% MFN |
| IP / design protection | Strong (enforceable NDAs) | Moderate–weak |
| Machines | Shima Seiki + Stoll | Variable |
| Communication | English, founder-direct | Variable, agents common |
| Best for | Mid-sized, design-led runs | Very large commodity runs |
Figures are indicative and vary by style, yarn and season.
Ireland is an EU member, so Turkish knitwear enters at 0% customs duty under the EU–Turkey Customs Union (in force since 1996), while China-made apparel pays ~12% MFN into the EU — a real landed-cost edge before lead time even counts. We supply the A.TR movement certificate. (Irish VAT still applies on import, as normal.)
Every size is knitted as its own fully-fashioned programme on Shima Seiki and Stoll machines — not cut from shared fabric — so the fit is true and the garment holds its shape wash after wash.
We run the same Shima Seiki (Japan) and Stoll (Germany) flat-knit machines as top workshops — with tighter, more consistent QC and a founder you talk to directly.
Enforceable NDAs and lower copy-risk protect your designs — a real concern brands raise about some Chinese sourcing.
We will tell you straight: for very large single-SKU commodity runs (well over 10,000 units of one basic style), China's scale can still win on unit cost. If that is your programme, China may be the better call. For mid-sized, design-led, compliance-sensitive knitwear with fast season turns — that's where we're built to win.
Send a tech pack or a brief. We respond within one business day with a capacity check, indicative pricing and a sample timeline — compare it directly against your China quote.