Pricing · Costing · For Tanzania

Knitwear Manufacturing Pricing: What to Expect

We publish cost ranges rather than hiding them. Your final CMT price depends on stitch structure, yarn, gauge and order volume — and your landed cost in Tanzania depends on EAC duty and VAT on top. Here's how it all works.

We don't publish a single price list because knitwear pricing doesn't work that way. A 3-gauge chunky cable pullover and a 12-gauge WHOLEGARMENT seamless base layer require different machines, different machine time, different yarn weights, and different linking labour — their CMT costs are genuinely different. What we can do is give you the cost ranges by construction type, explain what moves your piece up or down within that range, and be honest about the duty and tax that land on top once your goods reach Tanzania.

CMT Cost Ranges by Construction Type

All prices are CMT only (cut, make, trim — labour and overhead). Yarn cost is separate and depends entirely on fibre, count, and market price at time of order. These are 2025–2026 ranges; actual quotes depend on your specific brief.

01

Basic Pullover / Crew Neck

$8–14 CMT
Fully-fashioned flat-knit, 7–12gg, single stitch structure (jersey, 1×1 rib). Standard linking. Low complexity. Typical for cotton basics and entry-price merino programmes.

02

Textured / Patterned Knitwear

$14–22 CMT
Cable, jacquard, intarsia or structural texture. More machine programming, slower throughput, tighter QC. Mid-range merino, premium cotton, and wool-blend programmes.

03

WHOLEGARMENT / Seamless

$18–30 CMT
Single-piece 3D knit on Shima Seiki. Slower per-unit throughput than panel construction. No linking cost. Best for premium, next-to-skin, and sustainability-positioned programmes.

04

Chunky / Low-Gauge (3–5gg)

$12–20 CMT
Heavier yarn, larger loop structures. Slower machine throughput at low gauge despite visual simplicity. Typical for outerwear-weight sweaters, cardigans and chunky knit dresses.

What Moves Your Price Up or Down

Increases CMT cost

  • More stitch structures in one garment (cable + jacquard + rib)
  • Lower gauge (3–5gg) — slower machine throughput
  • Intarsia colour work (hand-placement at machine)
  • Small order volume (fewer units = less amortisation)
  • More panels (set-in sleeves vs raglan vs WHOLEGARMENT)
  • Hand-finishing: fulling, brushing, garment wash
  • Special sizes outside standard S–XL range

Decreases CMT cost

  • Single stitch structure (jersey, rib) — faster throughput
  • Mid-gauge 7–10gg — optimal machine speed
  • Standard construction (drop shoulder, raglan)
  • Higher volume (500+ units per style) — better amortisation
  • Standard colourways (no intarsia, max 2–3 yarn colours)
  • Repeat order of same or similar style (no reprogram)
  • Standard size range (XS–XL, 5 sizes)

Sample Fees

A

Proto Sample

$80–180 including shipping to Tanzania. One colourway, one size. Yarn may be substituted (closest available) if your specified yarn is not in stock. Turnaround: 10–14 days from tech pack approval.

B

Salesman Sample

$120–250 depending on construction. Production-spec yarn, production-spec construction. For wholesale showroom or buyer meetings. Turnaround: 14–21 days from proto sign-off.

C

Size Set

$60–100 per additional size from the first approved sample. For fit approval across your size run before bulk production. Recommended for fitted constructions and washed garments.

D

Bulk Pre-Production Sample

Included in bulk orders. One unit produced at the start of bulk to confirm production line matches approved samples. Standard practice; no additional charge.

Minimum Order Quantities

1
250 units per colour, per size — minimum per production run. This applies to all constructions including WHOLEGARMENT. The 250-unit MOQ covers machine setup, programming amortisation, and material efficiency.
2
No minimum for sampling — proto and salesman samples are single units. We produce samples at the fees above regardless of whether bulk follows. If bulk doesn't follow, we still produce the sample.
3
Volume discounts above 1,000 units — larger programmes at 1,000+ units per colour unlock better CMT pricing. We'll quote this explicitly when your programme reaches that scale. See wholesale knitwear supply for steady multi-style programmes.

From CMT to Landed Cost in Tanzania — Honestly

CMT and yarn give you the FOB Mersin price. To reach your real landed cost in Tanzania, add ocean freight, duty and tax — and here we are direct about the numbers. There is no free trade agreement between Turkey and Tanzania, so Turkish-origin knitwear enters under the EAC Common External Tariff at roughly 25% on apparel, plus 18% VAT, all payable in TZS through the TRA (Tanzania Revenue Authority). On landed price we hold no tariff advantage over China, and we won't pretend otherwise.

So why source from Turkey at all? Because the value sits elsewhere. You get genuine flat-knit and WHOLEGARMENT capability, English-language B2B communication, and a real China+1 alternative that protects you against single-country disruption. Tanzania's own position helps too: the Port of Dar es Salaam plus dual EAC and SADC membership means knitwear cleared here can serve both East and Southern African markets from one entry point. Tanzania is also a cotton producer, so we position Turkish knitwear as a complementary premium tier — never as a cheaper version of local basics.

Pricing & Import Reference

Indicative FOB Mersin ranges at 250–500 pcs MOQ, with the duty and tax that apply on entry to Dar es Salaam.

ItemGaugeIndicative FOB
Basic crewneck pullover, plain stitch7–12gg$16–24
Cable / textured sweater5–7gg$24–36
WHOLEGARMENT seamless knit12gg$30–46
Chunky low-gauge cardigan3–5gg$26–40

Indicative FOB Mersin (CMT + yarn). Add ocean freight to Dar es Salaam (~20–28 days from Mersin), EAC CET duty (~25% on apparel), 18% VAT and TRA clearing for landed cost in TZS. Goods must meet TBS (Tanzania Bureau of Standards) requirements; your clearing agent confirms exact rates for your HS code.

Payment Terms

Samples are paid in full before production. Bulk orders are typically 30% deposit on order confirmation, 70% balance before shipment (T/T bank transfer). We work with existing clients on net terms once a track record is established. We accept USD and EUR. Payments are made to a Turkish bank account (Garanti BBVA). We provide a pro forma invoice before any payment, plus the commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin your TRA clearing agent needs in Dar es Salaam.

Get a Quote for Your Specific Style

Send us your tech pack or design brief — or just a reference image and a construction description. We'll give you a CMT range for your specific piece within 1 business day, and a firm quote once we've confirmed gauge, stitch structure, and construction details. New to importing knitwear into Tanzania? Read how to order first.

Ready to price your programme?

Share your style and construction details. We'll quote CMT, confirm yarn options, and give you a production timeline and an honest landed-cost picture for your Dar es Salaam delivery date.

Related

→ Merino Cardigan Manufacturer → Cotton Sweater Manufacturer → Mohair Cardigan Manufacturer → Turtleneck Sweater Manufacturer → Chunky Knit Manufacturer → Corporate Knitwear & Workwear → Knitwear Manufacturer for Tanzania

FAQ

How much does it cost to import Turkish knitwear into Tanzania?

Your landed cost is the CMT (cut, make, trim) labour, plus yarn, plus ocean freight from Mersin to Dar es Salaam, plus duty and tax. There is no free trade agreement between Turkey and Tanzania, so Turkish-origin knitwear enters under the EAC Common External Tariff — roughly 25% on apparel — plus 18% VAT, payable in TZS through the TRA. We hold no tariff advantage over China on price and we say so openly. We compete on quality, WHOLEGARMENT and flat-knit capability, English-language B2B service and a genuine China+1 alternative.

What are the CMT cost ranges for flat-knit knitwear?

CMT covers labour and overhead only — yarn is quoted separately. As a 2025–2026 reference: a basic flat-knit pullover runs roughly $8–14 CMT, textured or patterned knitwear $14–22, WHOLEGARMENT seamless construction $18–30, and chunky low-gauge styles $12–20. Your final price depends on stitch structure, gauge, construction and order volume. Send a tech pack and we return a CMT range within one business day.

What is the minimum order quantity and how does that affect price?

Our MOQ is 250 units per colour, per size, including WHOLEGARMENT. The 250-unit minimum covers machine setup, programming amortisation and material efficiency. Higher volumes amortise setup over more units, so CMT pricing improves above 500 units and again above 1,000 units per colour. There is no minimum for sampling — protos and salesman samples are single units.

How are knitwear samples and bulk orders paid for from Tanzania?

Samples are paid in full before production. Bulk orders are typically 30% deposit on confirmation and 70% balance before shipment by T/T bank transfer; we accept USD and EUR. We provide a pro forma invoice before any payment and the commercial documentation your clearing agent needs for TBS compliance and TRA clearance in Dar es Salaam. We do not overstate compliance — your agent confirms the exact requirements for your HS code.

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