Best Country to Source Towels: India, China, Pakistan, Türkiye and Bangladesh Compared
Five countries make most of the towels importers buy. Each is strong at something different, and each pays a different duty depending on where you sell. This guide puts them side by side so you can pick an origin before you pick a supplier.
Anabyn is an Indian export house, so we have a side. We have written this to be useful even if you end up buying elsewhere, and we say where another country beats India.
Start Here: Which Origin to Quote First
| You sell into | Quote first | Why |
|---|---|---|
| European Union | Türkiye, Pakistan or Bangladesh first; India once the India-EU FTA is in force | All three enter the EU at 0% today. Indian towels pay 12% until the FTA takes effect, expected in 2027. |
| United Kingdom | India, Pakistan, Türkiye or Bangladesh | All four enter at 0%. Choose on product and price. China pays about 12%. |
| United States | India or Pakistan | Both pay MFN plus 10% Section 301 and grow their own cotton, which keeps fibre-origin proof simple. China carries the heaviest tariff stack. |
| UAE and GCC | India | 0% into the UAE under CEPA and 7-12 days by sea from Cochin. Other origins pay 5%. |
| Australia | India or China | Both enter at 0% under their trade agreements with Australia. |
The Five Towel Origins
India
Solapur (Maharashtra), Karur and Erode (Tamil Nadu), Panipat (Haryana), large integrated mills in Gujarat and Punjab, plus Kerala export housesThe widest range of any origin, from economy institutional terry to 700 GSM hotel towels, with home-grown cotton and English-speaking export desks.
- +Home-grown cotton and spinning, so yarn cost and supply are not exposed to imports
- +Every tier in one country: economy, mid-range hotel, 600-700 GSM luxury, kitchen, beach and spa
- +Duty-free into the UK (CETA, in force 15 July 2026), the UAE (CEPA) and Australia (ECTA)
- +Small trial runs are possible through export houses, not only full containers
- +English is the working language of the export trade
- !EU buyers pay 12% duty on Indian towels until the India-EU FTA enters into force, while Pakistan, Bangladesh and Türkiye enter at 0%
- !US buyers now pay a 10% Section 301 duty on top of MFN, the same as Pakistan and Bangladesh
- !Quality varies widely between clusters and units, so specs and inspection must be written down
Best for: UK, GCC and Australian buyers, hotel and private-label programmes that want several towel types on one order, and anyone starting with a trial run.
Terry towel manufacturing in IndiaChina
Gaoyang (Hebei), Nantong (Jiangsu) and Shandong (Weifang, Binzhou, Zibo)The largest towel exporter by most trade counts, unmatched on scale, speed and printed, velour and microfibre towels, but the most exposed origin for US buyers.
- +Scale: almost any spec, colour or print at almost any volume
- +Strong in printed beach towels, velour, microfibre and promotional towels
- +Short transit to North Asia and the US West Coast
- +Mature supplier platforms and trade fairs make factories easy to find
- !The heaviest US duty stack of the five origins: MFN plus the 2018-2019 Section 301 duties plus later measures
- !US Customs presumes goods made with Xinjiang cotton are barred under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, so cotton towels need fibre traceability
- !EU and UK buyers pay full MFN duty (about 12%) with no preference
- !Platform listings mix factories and traders, which makes verification slower
Best for: Printed, velour and microfibre towels, promotional programmes, and buyers outside the US who need very large volumes fast.
India vs China for towels in detailPakistan
Faisalabad, Karachi, Lahore and Hyderabad (Sindh)A terry towel specialist with deep capacity in mid-range white hotel and institutional towels, and 0% EU duty under GSP+.
- +Terry towels are one of the country's main exports, so specialist capacity is deep
- +0% EU duty under GSP+ and 0% UK duty under DCTS Enhanced Preferences
- +Very competitive on mid-range 450-550 GSM white hotel towels in volume
- +Cotton grown at home
- !Energy cost and gas supply to mills have been volatile, which can move prices and lead times
- !Currency swings and the cost of letters of credit
- !US buyers pay the same 10% Section 301 duty as on Indian towels
- !Fewer suppliers are set up for small mixed trial orders
Best for: EU buyers of standard white hotel and institutional terry in container volumes, where the 0% GSP+ duty decides the price.
India vs Pakistan for towels in detailTürkiye
Denizli (the main towel and bathrobe centre), Bursa, Uşak and IstanbulThe premium nearshore option for Europe: 0% EU duty, truck delivery in days, strong design, and the home of the peshtemal.
- +0% EU duty through the customs union (A.TR movement certificate) and 0% UK duty under the UK-Türkiye FTA
- +Road freight to most of Europe in about one to two weeks
- +Design-led towels, bathrobes, hammam towels and peshtemals
- +Recognised "Turkish cotton" retail story
- !Usually the highest factory price of the five origins
- !High domestic inflation means price lists are revised often
- !US buyers pay a 12.5% Section 301 duty on top of MFN
- !"Turkish towel" in retail often means a style, not an origin, so check the label
Best for: European retailers and boutique hotels who value short lead times, design and the Turkish cotton story over unit price.
India vs Türkiye for towels in detailBangladesh
Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj and ChattogramA garment giant with a smaller terry towel sector, attractive mainly for 0% duty into the EU and UK, which lasts until 2029.
- +0% EU duty under Everything But Arms, kept until 2029 after the November 2026 graduation from least-developed-country status
- +0% UK duty under DCTS Comprehensive Preferences
- +Low labour cost and large garment-sector compliance infrastructure
- !Terry is a small part of the textile sector, so the choice of specialist towel mills is narrow
- !Imported cotton and yarn add lead time and cost
- !EU duty-free access after 2029 depends on a new scheme or agreement not yet in place
- !Chattogram port congestion can stretch transit times
- !US buyers pay the same 10% Section 301 duty as on Indian towels
Best for: EU and UK buyers who already source garments in Bangladesh and want to add simple towels to the same supply base.
India vs Bangladesh for towels in detailImport Duty on Towels by Country of Origin
Cotton terry towels, HS 6302.60. Duty usually moves the landed price more than the factory price does, so read this table before comparing quotes.
| Into | From India | From China | From Pakistan | From Türkiye | From Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | 12% (GSP withdrawn 2026-28; 0% once the India-EU FTA is in force) | 12% | 0% under GSP+ | 0% (customs union, A.TR) | 0% under EBA, until 2029 |
| United Kingdom | 0% under CETA (in force 15 Jul 2026) | About 12% | 0% under DCTS Enhanced | 0% under the UK-Türkiye FTA | 0% under DCTS Comprehensive |
| United States | MFN + 10% Section 301 | MFN + legacy Section 301 + later measures (highest) | MFN + 10% Section 301 | MFN + 12.5% Section 301 | MFN + 10% Section 301 |
| UAE and GCC | 0% in the UAE (CEPA); 5% elsewhere in the GCC | 5% | 5% | UAE-Türkiye CEPA cuts many lines; 5% elsewhere | 5% |
| Australia | 0% under ECTA | 0% under ChAFTA | 5% general rate | 5% general rate | 0% as a least-developed country (review after Nov 2026) |
- European Union: The India-EU FTA was concluded on 27 January 2026 and still has to be ratified; most analysts expect entry into force in 2027. Until then, an EU buyer pays 12 points more on Indian towels than on Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Turkish ones. EU TARIC
- United Kingdom: Every preference needs a valid origin statement on the shipment. Without it the full UK Global Tariff applies. UK Trade Tariff
- United States: MFN on cotton terry towels is roughly 9.1-11.4% depending on the HTS line. The Section 301 forced-labour duties apply from 24 July 2026. US rules have changed several times since 2025, and a second Section 301 case is open, so check the current total for your HTS line before you price. USITC HTS
- UAE and GCC: The GCC applies a 5% common external tariff. The India-UAE CEPA has been in force since May 2022 and needs a CEPA certificate of origin. UAE CEPA guide
- Australia: Australia applies a 5% general rate to these lines. India and China both have agreements that remove it. Australian Border Force tariff
Planning figures as of October 2026, not customs advice. Every preference needs valid proof of origin on the shipment. Model your own lane in the import duty calculator or the China vs India landed-cost calculator.
Best Origin by Towel Type
| Towel | Strongest origins | Note |
|---|---|---|
| White hotel towels, 450-550 GSM | India, Pakistan | Both have deep specialist capacity. Pakistan is very sharp on price in volume. |
| Luxury hotel and spa towels, 600-700 GSM | India, Türkiye | Heavy, long-loop terry needs good yarn and careful finishing. |
| Printed beach towels | China, India | China leads on reactive and digital print at scale. |
| Microfibre and velour towels | China | Synthetic and sheared-velour capacity is concentrated there. |
| Peshtemal and hammam towels | Türkiye, India | Türkiye is the home of the style. Flat-woven versions are also made in India. |
| Kitchen and tea towels | India, Pakistan | Flat-woven and terry kitchen linen is a long-standing export from both. |
| Organic cotton towels | India, Türkiye | Both grow organic cotton. Ask for the certificate held by the unit that makes your order. |
| Economy and recycled-cotton towels | India (Panipat), Pakistan, China | Specify GSM, yarn and wash tests in writing at this price point. |
| Terry bathrobes | Türkiye, India, Pakistan | Denizli leads on design; India and Pakistan on price. |
How to Check a Towel Supplier in Any Country
- Get every quote on the same spec: GSM, size, yarn (ring-spun, combed or zero-twist), colour, packing and Incoterm.
- Turn each quote into a landed cost: FOB, freight, insurance, duty under the preference you can actually claim, and clearance.
- Wash samples from every shortlisted supplier at home, three to five times, and compare weight loss, shrinkage and lint.
- Ask for a lab report on GSM, shrinkage and colour fastness, and look up any certificate number on the certifier's own site.
- Check the company registration in its home country (below), then hold a video call from the unit that will run your order.
- Book a third-party inspection before the balance payment on the first order.
| Country | Registration to check |
|---|---|
| India | IEC (Importer Exporter Code) on the DGFT portal and the GST number on the GST portal |
| China | Unified Social Credit Code on the national enterprise credit system |
| Pakistan | NTN with the Federal Board of Revenue, and membership of the towel exporters' association |
| Türkiye | Tax number and MERSIS number, and membership of the regional exporters' association |
| Bangladesh | Export Registration Certificate (ERC) and membership of the relevant terry or textile association |
Anabyn's own numbers are on our verification page. For India specifically, see how to find a towel manufacturer in India and the main terry towel manufacturers in India.
Using Two Countries Instead of One
Buyers moving part of their volume out of China, or out of any single country, rarely switch everything at once. The usual path: keep your main origin, move one or two core SKUs to a second country, approve washed samples, run a trial order, then widen the share once quality and delivery hold. Trial runs start at 500 pieces. Wholesale pricing starts at 2,000 pieces per SKU.
Questions Buyers Ask
What is the best country to import towels from?
It depends on where you sell and what you buy. India suits the widest range of towel programmes and enters the UK, UAE and Australia duty-free. Türkiye, Pakistan and Bangladesh enter the EU at 0% today, while Indian towels pay 12% there until the India-EU FTA takes effect. China leads on printed, velour and microfibre towels but carries the heaviest US tariffs.
Where are most towels in the world made?
Most cotton towels traded internationally come from China, India and Pakistan, with Türkiye the main premium origin for Europe. Bangladesh, Vietnam, Egypt, Brazil and Portugal make smaller volumes. Within each country towels come from a few clusters: Gaoyang, Nantong and Shandong in China; Solapur, Karur and Panipat in India; Faisalabad and Karachi in Pakistan; Denizli in Türkiye.
Which country makes the cheapest towels?
Pakistan, India and China all quote very low prices on standard cotton terry, and China is often cheapest on microfibre. The factory price is only part of the cost. Duty can move the landed price by 10-25 points depending on origin and destination, so compare landed cost, not FOB.
Which country makes the best quality towels?
No country has a monopoly on quality. Türkiye and Portugal have a premium reputation, and India and Pakistan make towels for many of the world's hotel groups and retailers. What decides quality is the cotton, the yarn count and twist, the loop density and the finishing at the unit making your order. Ask for washed samples and a lab report.
Which towels enter the EU duty-free?
Towels from Türkiye (customs union, with an A.TR certificate), Pakistan (GSP+) and Bangladesh (Everything But Arms, until 2029) enter the EU at 0%. Towels from India and China pay the 12% MFN rate today. Indian towels move to 0% when the India-EU FTA, concluded in January 2026, enters into force.
What is the US tariff on towels by country in 2026?
All origins pay the MFN rate for cotton terry towels, roughly 9.1-11.4% depending on the HTS line. From 24 July 2026 a Section 301 forced-labour duty adds 10% on India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and 12.5% on Türkiye. China pays its older Section 301 duties plus later measures, the heaviest stack of the five. These rules have changed often, so check the current total on the USITC HTS.
How do I compare towel suppliers from different countries?
Put every quote on the same basis: same GSM, size, yarn and packing, then add freight, duty under the right preference and clearance to get a landed cost. Wash samples from each supplier at home, ask for a lab report, check the company registration in its own country, and book a third-party inspection on the first order.
Should I use more than one country for towels?
For volumes above a few containers a year, a second origin is sensible insurance against a tariff change, a port closure or one supplier failing an audit. Most buyers keep their main origin and move one or two core SKUs to a second country on a trial run first.
Add India to Your Comparison
Send the spec you are quoting elsewhere. We reply with FOB Cochin pricing and free samples (2 free pcs per spec, you pay courier only) so you can compare like for like.
Or use the quote form.