Bathrobe sourcing · 2026
India or Pakistan for hotel bathrobes?
Pakistan makes most of the world's bathrobes, and for many buyers it is the right choice. This page shows when it is, when India is, and how to check with your own numbers.
The short answer
It mostly comes down to where the robes are going and what else you buy.
Pakistan is usually the better buy if…
- You ship to the EU or UK and buy a plain white terry robe.
- Your order is large and the design stays the same every year.
- Price per robe is the only thing that decides it.
India is usually the better buy if…
- You ship to the UAE. Indian robes enter at 0% under CEPA, not 5%.
- You want robes, towels and bed sheets in one container from one supplier.
- You want a small first order. Our trial run starts at 200 pcs.
- You need waffle, velour or kimono styles alongside terry.
Use both if…
- One country supplies almost all your robes today.
- A strike, a flood or a port delay would leave your rooms without robes.
- You want a second quote to keep your main supplier honest.
The robes we make in India
Photos show the style. Colour, weight, size and embroidery are made to your order.
Side by side
| What matters | India | Pakistan |
|---|---|---|
| Share of world terry-robe exports | About 10% | About 84%, the clear leader |
| Import duty into the EU | Usually the full 12% today. The India–EU trade deal should remove it, but it isn't in force yet. | 0% under the EU GSP+ scheme |
| Import duty into the UK | Usually 12% today. The India–UK deal (CETA) is signed but not yet in force. | Usually 0% under the UK DCTS scheme |
| Import duty into the UAE | 0% with a CEPA certificate of origin | 5% (standard GCC tariff) |
| Robe styles | Terry, waffle, velour, kimono, hooded, kids | Terry and velour are the core; waffle widely available |
| Smallest order | 200 pcs trial run with us | Varies by mill; large mills prefer bigger runs |
| Other products in the same container | Towels, bath mats, bed sheets, duvet covers | Towels are common; bed linen depends on the mill |
| Production time | 30–45 days after sample approval | Similar for standard robes |
| Sea time to Italy / Spain | 16-21 days via Suez / 17-22 days via Suez from Cochin | A few days less from Karachi |
Duty rates change. Confirm the rate for your HS code with your customs broker before you order. Export shares are approximate, from 2024 trade data.
What duty does to the price in Europe
Say you order 1,000 terry robes at $11 each. That's $11,250 of robes, plus about $500 to ship them.
From India
$1,410
EU duty at 12%
From Pakistan
$0
EU duty under GSP+
So to land at the same price in Europe, an Indian robe has to be about 12% cheaper at the port. On plain terry that is hard. On waffle and velour, or when the robes share a container with towels and sheets, it often works.
Shipping to Dubai or Abu Dhabi flips this. Indian robes enter at 0% with a CEPA certificate, and Pakistani robes pay the 5% GCC tariff.
How to decide in three steps
- 1
Get two samples
Ask your current supplier and us for the same robe: same GSM, size and collar. Our samples are free; you pay the courier.
- 2
Wash them 20 times
Weigh each robe before and after. Check shrinkage, pilling and how soft it feels. This tells you more than any certificate.
- 3
Compare the landed price
Add freight and duty to each quote. Our duty calculator does this for 40 countries.
Common questions
Is Pakistan or India better for hotel bathrobes?
For a plain terry robe going to the EU or UK, Pakistan is usually cheaper once you count duty, because it enters at 0% and Indian robes usually pay 12%. India is the better choice for UAE buyers (0% under CEPA), for smaller first orders, and when you want robes, towels and bed linen from one supplier.
Why does Pakistan make most of the world’s bathrobes?
Pakistan built a large terry industry around Karachi and Faisalabad, and its duty-free access to Europe under GSP+ made it the default for European buyers. Italy, Spain and Germany buy about two-thirds of the world’s terry bathrobes, so that duty edge matters a lot.
How much does EU duty add to a bathrobe order?
About 12% of the landed value for an Indian robe today. On 1,000 terry robes at $11 each, that is roughly $1,410. A Pakistani robe under GSP+ pays nothing. Check the current rate for your exact HS code with your customs broker.
Can I split my bathrobe order between India and Pakistan?
Yes, and many buyers should. Keep your main volume where it is cheapest and give a smaller share to a second country. If one supplier has a problem, your hotels still get robes.
Are Indian bathrobes lower quality than Pakistani ones?
No. Quality depends on the mill and the spec, not the country. Ask both suppliers for a sample in the same GSM and size, wash each one 20 times, and compare weight loss, shrinkage and softness.
What does a hotel bathrobe from India cost?
Indicative FOB Cochin prices: waffle 300–350 GSM $6.50–$9.00 /pc, terry 400–450 GSM $9.50–$13.00 /pc, velour 500–600 GSM $14.00–$19.00 /pc. The final price depends on quantity, sizes and embroidery.
Put our robe next to the one you buy now
Tell us the style, GSM and quantity. We reply within 24 hours with a price and a free sample.
Ask for a bathrobe quote