20 countries that import the most clothing – introduction

20 countries that import the most clothing. The objective of this article is to enable clothing manufacturers and exporters around the world to target their export efforts effectively, however we think it will also be of interest to many outside of the clothing industry.

We have taken data and information from a variety of source to give the most complete and accurate assessment but the primary sources are Fashion United and globaledge.com. Rankings are based on USD purchases (2021) rather than volume.

For the 20 countries that import the most clothing we have given an estimate of the annual purchases in USD. This article also provides some analysis of the largest import markets.

The 20 countries that import the most clothing are listed below from the biggest importer down to the twentieth biggest importer.

20 countries that import the most clothing – United States

United States

With clothing imports totaling nearly $180 billion the United States was the largest importer of clothing in the world. Americans purchased an average of $844 of clothing and an average of 53 items. US households spend around 3.5% of their household income on clothing.

The below table provides research data on the amount US ladies aim to spend on certain items and can be used to assist in getting your own pricing right for the US market.

Source: Retail market intelligence platform via Fashion United.

The biggest clothing imports of the United States are sweatshirts, sweaters, women’s suits, men’s suits and T-shirts (in that order). USA also imports large amounts of footwear including over 12 billion dollars of leather shoes.

20 countries that import the most clothing – 2-5

Germany

Average household expenditure on clothing and footwear is around 640 Euros and this represents 3.9% of GDP. The main suppliers of clothing and footwear to Germany are China, Bangladesh, Turkiye, Italy and India. German consumers tend to be reserved and pragmatic when it comes to fashion choices with a preference for pragmatic, multi-purpose clothing. Clothing imports to Germany total nearly $80 billion a year.

China

China is the world’s largest exporter of clothing by a considerable margin with exports of over $400 billion. China is also the third largest importer of clothing with imports of around $54 billion. The main imports are footwear and ladies and gents suits.

France

In 2020 France imported around 10 billion items of clothing. France mainly imports clothing from China, Bangladesh, Turkiye, India, Morocco, Tunisia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Pakistan. These clothing imports total over $50 billion a year.

Japan

Japan is the 5^th largest importer of clothing in the world. Japanese people buy an average of 26 items of clothing a year and spend around $550 on clothing. Japan mainly imports clothing from United States, Thailand, Pakistan and France.

20 countries that import the most clothing

20 countries that import the most clothing 6-10

Italy

Italians spend an above average 710 Euros a year on their clothing. Italy is home to many top clothing brands and is the EU top exporter of clothing. Italy also imports over $41 billion of clothing per annum with the major suppliers being China, Spain, Germany, France and Bangladesh.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom imports around $40 billion of clothing a year. The main clothing exporters to the UK are China, Bangladesh, Turkiye, India and Italy. The spend per person in the UK is around $900 which is high.

Netherlands

Netherlands imports around $32 billion of clothing every year. Netherlands has a high percentage of clothing purchased online, major online retailers include bol.com, zolando.nl, wehkamp.nl and hema.nl.

Spain

As the 9^th largest importer of clothing Spain imports over $32 billion of clothing a year. Spaniards spend only around 330 Euros per year on clothing. Main suppliers to Spain are China, Bangladesh, Turkiye, Morocco and Italy.

Vietnam

Vietnam is a surprise in the top ten clothing importers in the world but Vietnam imports around $28 billion in clothing a year. Leading fashion store chains in Vietnam include Blue Exchange, Biti’s, Elise and An Phuoc.

20 countries that import the most clothing – 11-20

The remaining 20 countries that import the most clothing are listed below in order of import size:

South Korea – $27 billion

Poland – $26 billion

Canada – $21 billion

Hong Kong – $21 billion

Australia – $16 billion

Mexico – $16 billion

Switzerland – $13 billion

Austria – $13 billion

Turkiye – $13 billion

Indonesia – $11 billion

20 countries that import the most clothing – biggest imports by category

The top five imports by category are:

Bags & cases including travel goods, handbags, wallets, cases trunks, suitcases, briefcases, jewellery cases, holsters, camera cases, knapsacks, backpacks, sports bags. Total imports: $66.5 billion

Sweaters, pullovers, sweatshirts, waistcoats, vests etc, knitted or crocheted. Total imports: $59 billion

Women’s or girls’ trousers, jackets, shorts, dresses, skirts, not knitted or chrocheted (not swimwear) suits, ensembles, jackets, blazers, bib & brace overalls, breeches. Total imports: $55 billion

Footwear, uppers of leather, outer soles of rubber, plastic, leather or composition leather. Total imports: $51 billion

T-shirts, singlets, tank tops etc, knitted or crocheted. Total imports: $42 billion

Useful links:

https://globaledge.msu.edu/industries/apparel-and-textiles/tradestats

https://fashionunited.com/global-fashion-industry-statistics

https://blackcat360.com/20-countries-that-import-the-most-food/

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20 countries that import the most clothing