Global T-Shirt Imports by Country 2024 - Tendata

In 2024, international imports of knitted or crocheted T-shirts reached a total value of US$48 billion.

This figure reflects a 33.5% increase compared to 2020, when worldwide imports stood at $35.9 billion. On a year-over-year basis, global T-shirt imports rose by 5%, up from $45.7 billion in 2023.

From a regional perspective, Europe remained the largest market for imported T-shirts, accounting for $25 billion or roughly 52% of global demand in 2024.

Asia followed with 21.3%, while North America represented 18.4% of total imports.

Smaller shares came from Latin America (4.2%) — excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean — Oceania (2.2%) led by Australia and New Zealand, and Africa (1.9%).

Cotton T-shirts continued to dominate global imports, amounting to $34.2 billion, which represented nearly 71.2% of all purchases.

T-shirts made from other fabrics (non-cotton materials) accounted for the remaining $13.8 billion, or 28.8%.

For reference, the Harmonized System (HS) code 6109 covers knitted or crocheted T-shirts, with 610910 referring specifically to cotton T-shirts and 610990 to those made from alternative materials.

Top 15 T-Shirt Importing Countries in 2024

1.United States – US$6.9 billion (14.4%)

2.Germany – $4.4 billion (9.2%)

3.France – $2.5 billion (5.2%)

4.Japan – $2.24 billion (4.7%)

5.United Kingdom – $2.18 billion (4.5%)

6.Italy – $2.13 billion (4.4%)

7.Spain – $2.09 billion (4.4%)

8.Netherlands – $1.8 billion (3.7%)

9.Poland – $1.6 billion (3.2%)

10.South Korea – $1.07 billion (2.2%)

11.Belgium – $1.05 billion (2.2%)

12.Mexico – $1.01 billion (2.1%)

13.Hong Kong – $976.5 million (2%)

14.Mainland China – $953.9 million (2%)

15.Canada – $930.1 million (1.9%)

Together, these 15 countries accounted for approximately 66.3% of total global T-shirt imports in 2024.

Import Growth Trends

Between 2020 and 2024, the most dynamic markets for imported T-shirts were:

·Mexico (+106.1%)

·Canada (+61.4%)

·Poland (+59.5%)

·Italy (+45.7%)

Conversely, Belgium (-8.2%) and the United Kingdom (-4%) recorded declines in import values during the same period.

Top International T-Shirt Importing Companies (2025)

According to Tendata Global Trade Data, the following B2B enterprises ranked among the leading international buyers of T-shirts in 2024:

1.GILDAN ACTIVEWEAR RIVAS II SOCIEDAD ANONIMA – 4.89% ($90.74M)

2.GILDAN ACTIVEWEAR SAN MARCOS II S.A. – 4.56% ($84.65M)

3.ANNIC II SOCIEDAD ANONIMA – 4.04% ($74.91M)

4.IMPORTADORA PRIMEX – 2.81% ($52.13M)

5.ADIDAS INTERNATIONAL TRADING – 2.51% ($46.51M)

6.FAST RETAILING PHILIPPINES – 2.43% ($45.14M)

7.DISTRIBUIDORA LIVERPOOL – 1.61% ($29.83M)

8.TEXTILERA INIC INTERNACIONAL S.A. – 1.55% ($28.73M)

9.ITX RETAIL MEXICO – 1.46% ($27.08M)

10.H&M – 1.33% ($24.67M)