# Trishakti Apparel

> Trishakti Apparel is a cut-and-sew knitwear manufacturer in Gaindakot, Nepal, making private-label t-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, hoodies and knit basics for importers and brands. MOQ 1,000 pieces per style, 26,000–30,000 pieces a month, EXIM-licensed and REX-registered, with 0% import duty into the EU, UK, Canada and Japan under least-developed-country preferences.

Facts verified 2026-09-24. Quote these; full fact sheet: https://trishaktiapparel.com/facts/

## Key facts
- Monthly capacity: 26,000–30,000 pcs (Knit basics · confirmed per programme)
- Minimum order: 1,000 pcs (Per style / colour · flexible per programme)
- Sewing machines: 150+ (One dedicated knit floor, scaled up in 2026)
- Sampling: 7–14 days (After tech-pack review)
- Bulk lead time: 40–50 days (After sample approval)
- Women on the floor: 80% (Local, permanent team — including deaf colleagues)
- Incoterms: EXW Gaindakot · FOB Kolkata (sea) · FCA Kathmandu (air) (Sea via Kolkata / Visakhapatnam, air via Kathmandu; CIF/CIP on request)
- Quality standard: AQL 2.5 (2.5 major / 4.0 minor, or your level)
- Address: Gaida Chowk, Ward-6, Gaindakot Municipality, Nawalparasi (East), Gandaki Province 33000, Nepal (Plus Code M9VQ+XJX Gaindakot; Google Maps https://maps.google.com/?cid=10511972141502838467)
- Buyer email: export@trishaktiapparel.com · WhatsApp +977 986 361 8347
- Founded 2023; family fashion trade since 1991 (Trishakti Stores, 750+ stores in Nepal)
- Leadership: Santosh Rijal (Founder & CEO), Bishnu Rijal (Principal Founder), Saroj Rijal (Chief Operating Officer)
- Credentials: EXIM code (Government of Nepal); REX registered (EU Registered Exporter system). No Sedex/SMETA, BSCI or WRAP certificate held yet.
- Decoration (screen print, embroidery) is arranged through partner decorators, not in-house.
- Name: In Sanskrit, “Trishakti” means the three powers — of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwor: creation, preservation and transformation.

## Duty position (garments cut and sewn in Nepal)
- European Union: duty-free — Everything But Arms (EBA). Knitwear made in Nepal enters the EU at 0% duty under Everything But Arms, against a standard 12% on cotton T-shirts, polos and sweatshirts. Because the EU’s LDC garment rule is single transformation, garments cut and sewn in Nepal from imported (including Chinese) fabric qualify, backed by a statement on origin from a REX-registered exporter. Nepal is due to graduate from LDC status on 24 November 2026 (a deferral request is pending), and the EU keeps EBA for three years after graduation, at least until the end of 2029. (https://trishaktiapparel.com/eu-buyers/)
- United Kingdom: duty-free — Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) – Comprehensive Preferences. Nepal is in the UK’s DCTS Comprehensive Preferences tier, so knitwear made in Nepal enters the UK at 0% instead of the standard 12%. The DCTS garment rules allow single transformation, so cutting and sewing in Nepal from imported fabric qualifies, and the claim needs only an origin declaration on the invoice (no REX registration needed for the UK). Since 1 January 2026 the Enhanced tier that Nepal is expected to move into after a three-year post-graduation transition uses the same garment rules and also has a 0% rate on these lines. (https://trishaktiapparel.com/uk-buyers/)
- Canada: duty-free — Least Developed Country Tariff (LDCT). Nepal qualifies for Canada’s Least Developed Country Tariff, so cotton knitwear enters at 0% instead of the 18% MFN rate. Since 1 January 2025 Canada’s apparel rule lets garments cut and sewn in an LDC qualify whatever the origin of the fabric, so Chinese fabric no longer blocks LDCT. Canada gives graduating LDCs three more years of LDCT, and the programme itself runs to 31 December 2034. (https://trishaktiapparel.com/canada-buyers/)
- Japan: duty-free — GSP – special preferential treatment for LDCs. Japan gives LDCs duty-free, quota-free treatment, and its tariff lists cotton T-shirts, polos and sweatshirts as Free for LDCs, against 7.4–10.9% otherwise. Since 1 April 2015 Japan’s GSP rule for knitted apparel (Chapter 61) is "manufactured from fabrics", so garments cut and sewn in Nepal from imported fabric qualify. Japan reports that its 2026 GSP review extends LDC treatment for up to three years after graduation; confirm the exact dates before long-term contracts. (https://trishaktiapparel.com/japan-buyers/)
- India: conditional — Nepal–India Treaty of Trade. Under the Nepal–India Treaty of Trade, garments manufactured in Nepal enter India free of basic customs duty and quantity limits if they change HS heading in Nepal and non-Nepali, non-Indian materials are no more than 70% of the FOB price, backed by a Nepali certificate of origin. Because we import our fabric, whether a style qualifies depends on its fabric-to-price ratio, so we calculate it per style. India’s IGST still applies as on domestic goods, and the two governments agreed in September 2026 to review the treaty. (https://trishaktiapparel.com/india-buyers/)
- United States: standard duty applies — No preference programme – MFN (column 1 general) rates. There is no duty-free route for Nepali knitwear into the United States: the Nepal Trade Preference Program expired on 31 December 2025 and US GSP remains lapsed, so garments pay normal MFN duty, for example 16.5% on cotton T-shirts and 19.7% on cotton knit polos. As of 24 September 2026 Nepal is not one of the 60 economies hit by the Section 301 forced-labour tariffs in force since 24 July 2026, while India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka face an extra 10% and Vietnam 12.5%. Tariffs are changing fast, so always confirm with your customs broker. (https://trishaktiapparel.com/usa-buyers/)
- Australia: conditional — Australian System of Tariff Preferences – LDC rate. Australia charges 5% on cotton knitwear and gives goods from LDCs such as Nepal a Free rate, but only if the last process is in Nepal and at least 50% of the total factory cost is "allowable" (Nepali labour and overheads plus materials from LDCs, Pacific Forum countries or Australia). Materials from non-LDC developing countries, China included, count only up to 25% of total factory cost. With imported Chinese fabric, some styles qualify and some do not, so we confirm per style before you claim the 0% rate. (https://trishaktiapparel.com/australia-buyers/)
- LDC graduation: Nepal is scheduled to graduate from the UN Least Developed Country category on 24 November 2026. On 15 May 2026 the Government of Nepal asked the UN to extend its preparatory period, seeking about three more years. The UN Committee for Development Policy found that an extension would be appropriate if it is tied to a clear, time-bound transition plan, and on 21 July 2026 ECOSOC recommended that the General Assembly decide before 24 November 2026. As of 24 September 2026 no General Assembly decision had been announced, so 24 November 2026 remains the scheduled date. Graduation does not end preferences overnight: the EU, UK and Canada keep LDC-level access for three years after graduation takes effect, and Japan reports a similar extension.

## Products
- [T-shirt manufacturer in Nepal](https://trishaktiapparel.com/products/t-shirts/): The everyday tee — clean side-seams, consistent necklines and a finish that holds up wash after wash.
- [Polo shirt manufacturer in Nepal](https://trishaktiapparel.com/products/polo-shirts/): Classic pique polo with a structured collar and placket — a private-label staple for retail and corporate programmes.
- [Knit jersey basics manufacturer in Nepal](https://trishaktiapparel.com/products/knit-jersey/): Long-sleeve tees, henleys, ribbed tops and layering knits built to your tech pack across adult and children’s sizing.
- [Hoodie & sweatshirt manufacturer in Nepal](https://trishaktiapparel.com/products/sweatshirts-hoodies/): Fleece-back sweatshirts and hoodies with clean ribbed cuffs and hems — private-label, made to your fits.
- [Woven shirt manufacturer in Nepal](https://trishaktiapparel.com/products/woven-shirts/): Knit is our specialty, but we also run woven — casual and printed shirts produced to your spec.
- [Tank top manufacturer in Nepal](https://trishaktiapparel.com/products/tank-tops/): Clean-binding tanks and sleeveless tees — a warm-weather staple, private-label to your fits.
- [Kidswear manufacturer in Nepal](https://trishaktiapparel.com/products/kids-wear/): Matching tee-and-shorts sets and children’s knits — private-label across children’s sizing.
- [Knit shorts manufacturer in Nepal](https://trishaktiapparel.com/products/knit-shorts/): Elastic- and drawcord-waist knit shorts in French terry and jersey — for loungewear, athleisure and co-ord sets.

## Key pages
- [REX & duty-free import, step by step](https://trishaktiapparel.com/rex/)
- [Duty status tracker](https://trishaktiapparel.com/duty-status/)
- [Why source from Nepal](https://trishaktiapparel.com/why-nepal/)
- [How an order works](https://trishaktiapparel.com/how-it-works/)
- [Shipping from landlocked Nepal: sea, air, Incoterms](https://trishaktiapparel.com/shipping-from-nepal/)
- [Nepal vs Bangladesh vs India for knit basics (sourced table)](https://trishaktiapparel.com/nepal-vs-bangladesh-vs-india/)
- [Garment manufacturers in Nepal: buyer's directory](https://trishaktiapparel.com/garment-manufacturers-in-nepal/)
- [Capabilities](https://trishaktiapparel.com/capabilities/)
- [Compliance (what we hold and don't)](https://trishaktiapparel.com/compliance/)
- [Sustainability facts](https://trishaktiapparel.com/sustainability/)
- [About the company](https://trishaktiapparel.com/about/)
- [About Nepal: flag, history, culture](https://trishaktiapparel.com/nepal/)
- [Contact / request a quote](https://trishaktiapparel.com/contact/)

## Other languages
- [Deutsch](https://trishaktiapparel.com/de/) · [Français](https://trishaktiapparel.com/fr/) · [日本語](https://trishaktiapparel.com/ja/): home, products, how it works, about, why Nepal and the market pages for that language. Buyer guides are English only.

## Buyer guides
- [How to verify a supplier’s REX number (and what the result tells you)](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/how-to-verify-supplier-rex-number/): Check a supplier’s REX number on the European Commission’s free validation page before you pay a deposit. The steps, what the result shows, and the red flags.
- [Statement on origin wording, explained line by line](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/statement-on-origin-wording-explained/): The exact EU GSP statement on origin text from Annex 22-07, what goes in each gap for Nepal-made garments, and the mistakes that cost you 0% duty.
- [UK DCTS origin declaration vs EU REX: what’s different for garment importers](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/uk-dcts-origin-declaration-vs-eu-rex/): The UK uses its own DCTS origin declaration, not the EU REX statement on origin. The UK wording, key differences, and what we supply for each market.
- [What is a REX number? A plain guide for EU importers](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/what-is-a-rex-number-eu-importers-guide/): A REX number is the EU registration an exporter needs to certify origin for 0% GSP/EBA duty. What it looks like, who registers, and what it means for you.
- [30/70 payment terms explained: deposits, balances, and what “against B/L” means](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/30-70-payment-terms-explained/): The standard payment structure of garment sourcing decoded: why factories ask 30% upfront, what the 70% balance is actually released against, the safe and unsafe variants, and how to negotiate terms that protect both sides.
- [Best countries to manufacture clothing in 2026: an honest comparison](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/best-countries-to-manufacture-clothing-2026/): China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, India, Turkey, Pakistan, Portugal, and the small origins the listicles skip. Compared honestly on price, MOQ, speed, duty into your market, and risk, by a factory that names where it loses.
- [CMT vs FPP: which garment manufacturing model fits your brand?](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/cmt-vs-fpp-full-package-manufacturing/): The two ways factories work: CMT (you supply fabric, they cut-make-trim) versus FPP full-package production (the factory sources everything). What each costs, who owns which risk, why quotes aren’t comparable across models, and which fits your stage.
- [Combed vs carded cotton: why it decides print quality and pilling](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/combed-vs-carded-cotton-print-quality/): Combing is the fibre-preparation step that separates premium tees from budget ones: what it removes, why combed cotton prints sharper and pills less, how it pairs with ring spinning, and when carded cotton is honestly good enough.
- [How much do cotton t-shirts shrink? Shrinkage, compacting, and the spec that prevents it](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/cotton-shrinkage-compacting-guide/): Why cotton knits shrink (spinning and knitting tension, not magic), how much shrinkage is normal, what compacting does at the mill, the tolerance to put in your tech pack, and how to wash-test a sample before approving bulk.
- [CVC vs TC vs 100% polyester for uniform programmes: the blend decision](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/cvc-vs-tc-vs-polyester-uniforms/): The three fabric families uniform buyers choose between, cotton-rich CVC, poly-rich TC, and full polyester, compared on comfort, industrial washing, embroidery, colour life and cost, with plain guidance by role and industry.
- [Garment costing sheets explained, with a real cost breakdown from our factory](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/garment-costing-sheet-explained/): How a factory builds your price: the costing sheet line by line, fabric consumption and price, trims, CMT, overheads, margin, with a worked t-shirt example, the levers that actually move cost, and how to read a quote like an insider.
- [Proforma vs commercial invoice, and every other document in your garment shipment](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/garment-export-documents-proforma-vs-commercial-invoice/): The paper trail of a garment import, in the order it actually arrives: proforma invoice, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, origin documents, what each is for, who issues it, and the errors that hold cargo at customs.
- [Hoodie GSM guide: fleece weights from 250 to 450+, from the factory floor](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/hoodie-gsm-guide-fleece-weights/): What hoodie GSM actually means, the weight bands (250–300 everyday, 300–350 standard, 350–450 heavyweight, 450+ ultra), how much hoodies weigh in grams, brushed vs loopback at each weight, and which GSM to order for your market.
- [How much does a t-shirt weigh? Real numbers for shipping and freight](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/how-much-does-a-tshirt-weigh-shipping/): Actual t-shirt weights by size and GSM — from a factory that weighs them: singles, dozens, and cartons, with packaging included, plus a GSM-to-grams method for estimating any garment’s shipping weight before you order.
- [HS codes for knitwear imports: 6109, 6110 & 6105 explained, with duty rates by market](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/hs-codes-knitwear-6109-6110-duty-rates/): The commodity codes every knitwear importer needs, t-shirts 6109, sweatshirts and hoodies 6110, polos 6105 — what classifies where, the cotton-vs-synthetic split that changes US duty, and the current duty rates into the UK, EU, US, Canada and Japan by origin.
- [The pre-shipment inspection checklist for garment orders (use it or lose it)](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/pre-shipment-inspection-checklist-garments/): What a final inspection actually checks before your garments ship: quantity and assortment, AQL workmanship sampling, measurements, labels and compliance, packing, the complete checklist, who should inspect, and what to do when a lot fails.
- [Ring-spun vs open-end cotton: the yarn decision that decides your tee](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/ring-spun-vs-open-end-cotton/): The single yarn choice behind why two “100% cotton” t-shirts feel completely different: how ring-spun and open-end cotton are made, what each does to softness, printing, pilling and price, and which to specify for your programme.
- [Choosing a school uniform manufacturer: the buyer’s guide](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/school-uniform-manufacturer-buyers-guide/): What separates a good school uniform manufacturer from a risky one — colour continuity across years, the right fabrics and constructions, childrenswear safety built in at design stage, realistic minimums, and the questions that reveal everything before you order.
- [Single jersey vs interlock vs piqué: knit constructions explained for buyers](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/single-jersey-vs-interlock-vs-pique/): The three knit constructions behind almost every tee and polo: how each is made, what it does to weight, stretch, print quality and cost, the curling-and-twisting quirks factories manage, and which construction fits which product.
- [Size charts and grading: what your factory actually needs from you](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/size-charts-grading-what-factory-needs/): How garment sizing really works between brand and factory: the base-size spec, grade rules, points of measure and tolerances, what to send, what happens if you send nothing, and the sizing traps (unisex, UK vs US, kids’ heights) that cause returns.
- [Tri-blend vs CVC vs cotton for decorators: choosing blanks by print result](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/triblend-vs-cvc-vs-cotton-decorators/): The decorator’s fabric decision: how 100% cotton, CVC and tri-blend each behave under screen printing and DTG, the vintage-soft-print effect tri-blends give, durability and cost trade-offs, and which base to choose per job.
- [Buying agents, buying houses & sourcing offices: how apparel middlemen work](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/apparel-buying-agents-sourcing-offices-explained/): Who actually sits between a brand and a garment factory — and what it costs. Agent commissions, buying-house margins, hidden kickbacks, how agents vet factories, when a middleman earns their fee, and when factory-direct plus a $300 inspection day is the smarter structure.
- [Children’s clothing manufacturing: the safety rules that actually apply](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/childrens-clothing-manufacturing-safety-standards/): Kidswear is the most regulated garment category — cords and drawstrings, small parts, chemical limits, flammability, and US CPSIA testing. What each rule actually requires, why they exist, and what a compliance-literate factory does at the design stage so your brand never learns any of this from a recall notice.
- [Corporate uniform programmes: a sourcing guide for hotels, restaurants & fleets](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/corporate-uniform-programme-sourcing-guide/): Polos and tees are the modern corporate uniform — and the hardest part isn’t the rollout, it’s years of replenishment in matching colours and fragmented sizes. How uniform programmes are actually bought, the pain points that break them, and when factory-direct production fixes the maths.
- [Merch beyond print-on-demand: when creators and bands should go factory-direct](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/creator-band-merch-beyond-print-on-demand/): A print-on-demand hoodie costs $28–37 per unit, forever. At drop volumes, a fully custom heavyweight hoodie with your woven label costs less than that catalogue blank. The real maths of creator and tour merch — POD, bulk printing, and factory-direct — and when each one is right.
- [French terry vs brushed fleece: specifying sweatshirt fabric like you mean it](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/french-terry-vs-brushed-fleece-guide/): Terry and fleece start life on the same knitting machine — the difference is what happens at finishing, and it changes warmth, breathability, print behaviour, and durability. Constructions (why 3-thread fleece is the premium marker), GSM bands, blends, dye methods, and what decorators should spec.
- [The most expensive email in apparel: “approved, go ahead”](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/garment-sample-approval-checklist/): Bulk production copies your sample — including its mistakes. Why buyers approve samples too fast (excitement, deadlines, sunk cost), and the disciplined checklist that catches problems while they still cost nothing: measure against spec, wash before approving, check the inside, archive the standard.
- [FOB, CMT, MOQ, AQL: a plain-English garment sourcing glossary](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/garment-sourcing-glossary-terms-explained/): The vocabulary of garment sourcing, translated: pricing and shipping terms, production and sampling terms, quality control, and the paperwork of international trade — each in one plain sentence, with links to deeper guides.
- [How to verify a factory you’ll never visit: remote due diligence that actually works](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/how-to-verify-overseas-factory-remotely/): The real barrier to overseas sourcing isn’t price or quality — it’s the fear of wiring money to strangers. How scammers actually exploit buyer psychology, why a live unscripted video walk is almost impossible to fake, and a triangulation method that settles trust without a plane ticket.
- [Sourcing knitwear from Nepal: a guide for French buyers — duty, EPR, and the paperwork that matters](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/nepal-knitwear-sourcing-france-buyers-guide/): France imports €23 billion of apparel a year, runs Europe’s biggest promo-textile show, and operates the world’s oldest textile EPR scheme. What French importers, distributors and brands need to know about sourcing duty-free from Nepal — including the Refashion déclaration your supplier can make painless.
- [Sourcing knitwear from Nepal: a guide for Dutch buyers — direct, with numbers](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/nepal-knitwear-sourcing-netherlands-buyers-guide/): The Netherlands imports ~€13 billion of clothing and re-exports ~€10 billion of it — win one Dutch trader and you reach the EU. The numbers a Dutch importer actually wants: 0% EBA duty, Article 23 cash flow, UPV Textiel fees per garment, and a supplier who answers plainly.
- [Nepal vs. Pakistan for knitwear sourcing: an honest comparison](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/nepal-vs-pakistan-knitwear-sourcing-comparison/): Pakistan is a knitwear giant — $5 billion in exports, Sialkot’s teamwear cluster, its own ports and mills. So when does Nepal make sense instead, or alongside? A genuinely honest comparison: duty (a tie with different small print), wages (near parity), risk, and when to pick which.
- [OEKO-TEX, GOTS, SMETA, BSCI: what apparel certifications actually cover](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/oeko-tex-gots-smeta-bsci-apparel-certifications-explained/): Every supplier waves certificates; few buyers know what each one actually certifies. The three questions a certification can answer — is the product safe, what is it made of, how is the factory run — and which to ask for in which situation. Including an honest note on where we stand.
- [The polo, specified properly: piqué vs jersey, collars that stay flat, and the details buyers miss](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/polo-shirt-buyers-guide-pique-collar-quality/): Everyone thinks they know polos — which is exactly why they get under-specified. The fabric choice is really a decoration choice, the collar is where quality is judged in one second, and the failures (curl, twist, fade) are all preventable at spec stage. A buyer’s guide for uniform and promo programmes.
- [Recycled fabrics without the greenwash: an honest guide for brands and promo buyers](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/recycled-polyester-cotton-grs-honest-guide/): From 27 September 2026, generic claims like “eco-friendly” are banned in the EU without recognised proof — and testing investigations have found most “recycled polyester” claims false. What rPET really is, what GRS transaction certificates actually cover, what claims you can legally make, and where we stand.
- [Small-batch activewear manufacturing: a guide for independent gym-wear brands](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/small-batch-activewear-manufacturing-gym-brands/): The activewear market’s giants hold barely a quarter of it — the rest belongs to independent labels. What “squat-proof” actually means as a spec, why you don’t need sublimation to look premium, the real MOQ walls in China, and how factory-direct runs at 0% EU/UK duty change the maths.
- [Sourcing from Nepal to the US: the honest 2026 tariff picture](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/sourcing-nepal-to-us-tariffs-2026/): No spin: Nepal has no duty-free access to the US — a cotton tee pays the standard 16.5%. But as of mid-2026, Nepal is also one of the few origins with no additional tariffs stacked on top, while China pays up to ~20 points more. The verified state of play, date-stamped.
- [The UK importer’s guide to sourcing knitwear from Nepal](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/uk-importers-guide-sourcing-nepal/): Duty-free until at least 2029 — with a UK scheme structured so exporters keep access as their country develops. The complete UK picture: what the DCTS actually requires (less than you think), EORI, CDS and Postponed VAT Accounting, what UK law does and doesn’t require on labels, and why Nepal is the UK’s most under-used knitwear source.
- [Buying blanks direct from the factory: a guide for decorators, promo distributors & uniform suppliers](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/blank-apparel-direct-from-factory-decorators-guide/): The blank garment is a decorator’s single biggest cost — and blank prices keep rising. When does importing custom blanks direct from a factory beat buying from a next-day wholesaler? An honest guide with real numbers: costs, MOQs, lead times, duty, and a spec checklist.
- [The heavyweight tee era: sourcing 240 gsm blanks for your streetwear brand](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/heavyweight-blank-tshirts-streetwear-sourcing/): Heavyweight t-shirts (220–300 gsm) are the fastest-growing blank segment — the boxy, substantial tees streetwear customers now expect. What “heavyweight” actually means, why catalogue options run out fast, and how to get a custom heavyweight blank made to your spec at 1,000-piece minimums.
- [Importing apparel from Nepal to Canada: the 18% duty advantage explained](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/import-apparel-nepal-canada-duty-free-ldct/): Canada charges 18% MFN duty on knit apparel — but Nepal-made garments enter at 0% under LDCT, and since January 2025 the rules of origin are among the easiest anywhere: cut and sew in Nepal qualifies, with fabric from any country. The full picture for Canadian importers, decorators, and brands.
- [Sourcing knitwear from Nepal: a guide for German & DACH buyers](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/nepal-knitwear-sourcing-germany-dach-buyers/): Germany is Europe’s largest apparel importer — and already Nepal’s biggest EU trading partner, with knitwear among the top Nepali exports to Germany. Duty-free access under EBA, the certifications DACH buyers expect, supply-chain documentation, and how importing from Nepal works in practice.
- [Relabelling blank garments for your own brand: how to do it right in the UK & EU](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/relabelling-blank-garments-own-brand-uk-eu/): Cutting out a catalogue label and sewing in your own is standard practice — but there are rules. What tear-away labels are for, what your replacement label must legally carry in the UK and EU, the responsibilities you take on when you sell under your own brand, and the factory-direct shortcut.
- [Sourcing knitwear from Nepal to Japan: duty-free access as China’s share falls](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/sourcing-knitwear-nepal-japan-duty-free/): China’s share of Japan’s clothing imports fell below 50% in 2025 — a 31-year low — as Japanese buyers diversify across South Asia. Nepal offers what few origins can: 0% duty versus ~9% MFN, a cut-and-sew origin rule, and small-lot minimums that fit Japanese buying culture.
- [Schoolwear sourcing after the three-item cap: a guide for UK uniform retailers](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/uk-schoolwear-sourcing-guide-three-item-cap/): England’s new cap on branded school uniform items concentrates volume into badged sweatshirts and polos — and puts retailer margins under pressure. What the rules change, what schoolwear brands actually are, and when sourcing your core school colours direct from a factory starts to make sense.
- [What does a hoodie cost to manufacture? The full breakdown](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/what-does-a-hoodie-cost-to-manufacture/): Blank hoodies sell anywhere from $10 to $30 — why? A transparent cost breakdown: fleece consumption and fabric maths, CMT, trims, what moves the number, and how to sanity-check any quote that looks too good to be true.
- [Apparel production lead time & buying calendar: when to place your order](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/apparel-production-lead-time-buying-calendar/): How long does it really take to produce a garment order, and when should you place it? A count-back planner covering sampling, fabric, bulk, QC, and freight — so your knitwear lands in time for the season.
- [China Plus One for apparel: is Nepal your second sourcing country?](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/china-plus-one-apparel-nepal-second-sourcing/): Brands are diversifying apparel sourcing away from single-country risk. Here’s what "China Plus One" means for clothing, and why Nepal is a strong second source for knit basics.
- [Clothing label & care-label requirements for the EU, UK, US & Canada](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/clothing-label-care-label-requirements-eu-uk-us-canada/): A buyer’s guide to garment labelling compliance across the EU, UK, US, and Canada — fibre composition, care symbols, country of origin, and manufacturer ID — so your imported knitwear clears customs and shelves cleanly.
- [What does it cost to manufacture a t-shirt? A cost breakdown for brands](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/cost-to-manufacture-a-t-shirt/): Where your per-shirt cost actually comes from — fabric, cutting, sewing, trims, finishing, and how duty affects your true landed cost when sourcing from Nepal.
- [Cotton vs. CVC vs. poly-cotton: which blend for your t-shirt?](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/cotton-cvc-poly-cotton-tshirt-fabric-blends/): The fabric blend changes your tee’s feel, price, durability, and print results. Here’s a plain guide to 100% cotton, CVC, and poly-cotton for brand owners.
- [Ethical garment manufacturing: the questions to ask any factory](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/ethical-garment-manufacturing-questions-to-ask/): Sustainability and ethics are now buyer requirements, not nice-to-haves. Here are the questions that separate genuinely responsible factories from greenwashing.
- [A first-time importer’s guide to working with a garment factory](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/first-time-importer-guide-working-with-garment-factory/): New to importing garments? Here’s how to communicate with an overseas factory, what MOQ / lead time / payment terms to expect, and how to avoid the common first-timer mistakes.
- [Garment QC and AQL inspection: an importer’s guide](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/garment-qc-aql-inspection-guide/): How garment quality control and AQL inspection actually work — defect classes, inspection stages, a copy-and-use QC checklist, and how to inspect an order before it ships.
- [GSM explained: how to choose t-shirt and polo fabric weight](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/gsm-fabric-weight-guide-tshirts-polos/): GSM is the number that most affects how your garment feels and drapes. Here’s what GSM means and which weights work best for t-shirts, polos, and knit basics.
- [How to find and vet an overseas clothing manufacturer (without getting scammed)](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/how-to-find-vet-overseas-clothing-manufacturer/): A practical checklist for brands sourcing overseas: how to find a garment factory, spot scam red flags, verify a supplier, and structure payments so you’re protected.
- [How to import clothing from Nepal: a step-by-step buyer’s guide](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/how-to-import-clothing-from-nepal/): Considering Nepal for your knit basics? A practical, step-by-step guide to importing garments from Nepal — from first inquiry to delivery, including duty-free access, export paperwork, freight, and payment.
- [Paying a new overseas factory safely: TT vs Letter of Credit](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/how-to-pay-a-garment-factory-safely-tt-vs-lc/): Wiring money to a factory you’ve never met is the scariest part of importing. Here’s how to pay a garment manufacturer safely — TT vs Letter of Credit, deposit structures, and the red flags to walk away from.
- [How to legally reduce your apparel import duty](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/how-to-reduce-apparel-import-duty-legally/): Import duty can be 10–30% of your cost. Here are the legitimate ways brands lower it — trade preferences, sourcing country, rules of origin, and correct classification.
- [How to start a clothing brand: from idea to your first production run](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/how-to-start-a-clothing-brand-first-production-run/): A practical roadmap for turning a clothing idea into real, sellable product — designs, tech packs, finding a manufacturer, MOQ, samples, and your first order.
- [Incoterms for apparel imports: EXW, FOB & CIF from Nepal explained](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/incoterms-apparel-imports-exw-fob-cif-nepal/): Incoterms decide who pays for freight and who carries the risk at each stage. Here’s what EXW, FOB, and CIF mean for importing garments — and how landlocked Nepal ships.
- [Low-MOQ clothing manufacturing: how small brands keep first orders affordable](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/low-moq-clothing-manufacturing-small-brands/): Export mega-factories want 3,000–10,000 pieces per style. Here’s how emerging brands find low-MOQ manufacturers, why minimums exist, what “low” honestly means, and how to keep a first order affordable.
- [How EU, UK & Canadian buyers save import duty sourcing garments from Nepal](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/nepal-duty-free-apparel-eu-uk-canada/): Nepal’s LDC status means knit garments enter the EU, UK, and Canada at 0% import duty under single-transformation rules — even with imported fabric. Here’s how it works, and the 2026 window to plan for.
- [Nepal LDC graduation 2026: what apparel importers need to know](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/nepal-ldc-graduation-2026-what-importers-must-know/): Nepal is scheduled to graduate from Least Developed Country status in November 2026. Here’s what that means for duty-free garment sourcing — and the window to plan around.
- [Nepal vs. Bangladesh vs. India for knit basics: a 2026 sourcing comparison](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/nepal-vs-bangladesh-vs-india-knit-basics/): A practical comparison for brands and importers choosing where to make t-shirts and polos in 2026 — on duty access, tariffs, MOQ, and supply-chain risk.
- [Private-label branding & retail-ready packaging for your knitwear](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/private-label-branding-packaging-knitwear/): How a blank tee becomes your brand: woven vs printed labels, neck prints, hang tags, poly bags, barcodes, and retail-ready packaging — plus the artwork a factory needs and how custom trims affect MOQ and lead time.
- [Private label vs. white label vs. OEM vs. ODM: which do you actually need?](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/private-label-vs-white-label-vs-oem-odm/): These four terms confuse every new brand. Here’s what each manufacturing model means in plain English, and which fits your product and stage.
- [Sample to bulk: what to expect on your first clothing production order](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/sample-to-bulk-what-to-expect-first-order/): The step-by-step of a garment order — from tech pack to sample approval to bulk production, QC, and shipping — so you know what happens and when.
- [Screen print vs. DTG vs. embroidery: decorating your apparel](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/screen-print-vs-dtg-vs-embroidery-apparel/): The three main ways to brand a garment — screen printing, DTG, and embroidery — compared on cost, quantity, detail, and durability, so you pick the right one.
- [Shipping garments from a landlocked country: how orders leave Nepal](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/shipping-garments-from-nepal-freight-lead-time/): Nepal is landlocked — so how do your garments actually ship out, how long does it take, and what does it cost? A straight answer for importers on routes, lead times, Incoterms, and planning.
- [Single vs. double transformation rules of origin, explained for apparel importers](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/single-vs-double-transformation-rules-of-origin/): Rules of origin decide whether your garment qualifies for duty-free import. Here’s the difference between single and double transformation — and why it matters when the fabric is imported.
- [What is a tech pack — and what your factory needs to quote your order](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/what-is-a-tech-pack/): A tech pack is the blueprint your manufacturer builds from. Here’s what goes in one, why it matters, and the minimum info a factory needs to quote your garment accurately.
- [Nepal, honour, and doing business the Nepali way](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/why-trust-a-nepali-garment-supplier/): Can you trust a supplier in Nepal you’ve never met? This is the land of the Gurkhas — known worldwide for loyalty, warmth, and integrity. Here’s the Nepali character behind how we work, and the proof we back it with.
- [Women at the heart of our factory: why 80% matters](https://trishaktiapparel.com/blog/women-empowerment-nepal-garment-factory/): Trishakti Apparel’s production floor is 80% women — meaningful, skilled, fairly-paid work in Gaindakot, Nepal. Here’s what that means for our team, our community, and the buyers who source with us.

## Optional
- [Full text of facts and guides](https://trishaktiapparel.com/llms-full.txt)