For London Brands
Portuguese Manufacturing for London Fashion Brands
Post-Brexit duty-free under TCA. 2–3 day delivery. OEKO-TEX certified fabrics. MOQ from 50 units.
Trusted by brands from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Dubai & 20+ countries
What We Offer
White Cotton manufactures garments for London-based fashion brands from our factory in Barcelos, Portugal. London remains Europe's most dynamic fashion capital — from Shoreditch's independent streetwear scene to Hackney's sustainable labels and the DTC brands selling through Instagram drops and Depop. Post-Brexit trade added complexity, but under the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, Portuguese-made garments enter the UK duty-free when Rules of Origin are met. We handle all EUR.1 documentation so your goods clear customs without friction.
Why London Brands Are Manufacturing in Portugal
Brexit changed the manufacturing map for London fashion brands. Before 2021, sourcing from the EU was frictionless — no customs declarations, no duties, no paperwork. Now, every shipment from an EU manufacturer requires customs clearance, Rules of Origin documentation, and potential duties of 12% on fashion goods if the paperwork isn't right. Many London brands panicked and moved production to Turkey for perceived simplicity. The problem: Turkish quality is inconsistent, lead times stretched to 10–12 weeks, and 'Made in Turkey' doesn't carry the same weight in Selfridges or Dover Street Market as 'Made in Portugal'.
The reality of post-Brexit trade with Portugal is far simpler than most London brands fear. Under the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), textiles manufactured in Portugal from EU or UK-origin materials enter the UK at zero tariff — no 12% duty. The key is the EUR.1 movement certificate, which proves the goods qualify under Rules of Origin. We issue these as standard with every shipment. HMRC data shows that only 10–53% of UK textile imports actually claimed preferential rates in 2022 — meaning many brands are paying 12% duty they don't need to, simply because their manufacturer doesn't provide the right documentation. We make sure you're in the duty-free bracket.
London's fashion climate in 2026 is defined by two forces: streetwear culture and sustainability. On the streetwear side, brands like Corteiz, Trapstar, and Palace have proven that London-born labels can compete globally — and they've raised consumer expectations for heavyweight quality, limited drops, and premium finishing. On the sustainability side, Shoreditch's Sustainable Fashion Week, Pangaia's material innovation, and Nobody's Child's transparent supply chain have made 'where is it made?' a purchase-level question for London consumers. Portuguese manufacturing serves both: heavyweight fleece and garment dyeing for streetwear, OEKO-TEX certified fabrics and full traceability for sustainable brands.
London's climate makes it one of the best markets for our core product range. Cool, damp weather for 8+ months of the year means hoodies, sweatshirts, and layering pieces are wardrobe staples — not seasonal items. A 480 GSM brushed fleece hoodie is as relevant on Brick Lane in March as it is in November. French terry crewnecks work as transitional layering from September through May. Cotton canvas overshirts handle London drizzle. This isn't a market where you sell lightweight tees for three months — London's year-round demand for substantial knitwear and outerwear aligns perfectly with our heavyweight manufacturing capabilities.
Logistics from Barcelos to London are faster than most UK brands expect. Road freight via Spain, France, and the Channel crossing takes 2–3 business days — often arriving faster than a domestic UK courier from a Manchester warehouse. Express samples via DHL reach London in 24–48 hours. For brands used to 4–6 week sea freight from Asia, Portuguese manufacturing feels almost domestic. Combined with 50-unit MOQs and 4–6 week production, a London brand can go from approved sample to goods-on-shelf in under 7 weeks — fast enough for the drop cadence that drives London streetwear.
Why Choose Us
Why White Cotton for London Brands
Post-Brexit TCA — Zero Duty
Under the UK–EU TCA, Portuguese-made garments enter the UK at 0% tariff when Rules of Origin are met. Without proper documentation, you'd pay 12% on fashion goods. We provide EUR.1 movement certificates as standard — your goods clear customs duty-free, every time.
2–3 Day Delivery to London
Road freight from Barcelos reaches London in 2–3 business days via Spain, France, and the Channel. Express courier for samples arrives in 24–48 hours. Faster than many domestic UK suppliers — and far faster than the 4–6 week ocean shipping from Asia.
Built for London's Drop Culture
Shoreditch streetwear, Depop DTC, Instagram drops — London fashion moves fast. Our 50-unit MOQ and 4–6 week production time let you release monthly drops, test colourways, and restock sellouts without committing thousands of units upfront.
Quality That London Retail Demands
Whether you're selling through Selfridges, Dover Street Market, or your own DTC site — London consumers expect premium construction, heavyweight fabrics, and clean finishing. Portuguese manufacturing delivers this at 40–60% below domestic UK production cost.
Product Catalog
Popular Products
Washed Designer Jacket
680GSM — 100% Organic Brushed Cotton
Seam-Washed Zip-Up Jacket
500GSM — 100% Organic Cotton — Special Sewing
Masked Sherpa Jacket
400GSM — 100% Cotton Sherpa
Plush Fleece Jacket
280GSM — 100% Cotton Plush Fleece
Double-Layered Hoodie
1100GSM — 100% Organic Brushed Cotton
Washed Run-Stitch Hoodie
520GSM — 100% Organic Cotton w/ Run-Stitch Embroidery
Fabric Selection
Recommended Fabrics
Brushed Fleece
London's cool, damp climate makes heavyweight fleece a year-round staple, not a seasonal item. 400–580 GSM brushed fleece for the hoodies and joggers that dominate Shoreditch and East London street style.
French Terry
The London layering essential — lightweight enough for transitional weather, substantial enough to wear alone. 300–420 GSM French terry for crewnecks, relaxed hoodies, and the loungewear-to-street crossover London brands are known for.
Organic Cotton Jersey
GOTS-certified organic jersey for the sustainable London brands selling through independent boutiques, Selfridges, and online DTC. London consumers check labels — verified organic cotton is increasingly expected at the £35+ price point.
Decoration & Finishing
Recommended Techniques
Embroidery
Clean, premium embroidery for London's contemporary brands — tonal chest logos, sleeve details, and the understated branding that signals quality in Shoreditch boutiques and London concept stores.
3D Puff Embroidery
Statement-making raised embroidery for London's streetwear scene — the tactile, three-dimensional logos that Corteiz and Trapstar popularised and that every emerging London label now needs in their toolkit.
Specialty Finishes
Garment dyeing, enzyme washing, and vintage effects for the lived-in, effortless aesthetic that defines London casual fashion. These finishes give new garments the worn-in character London consumers gravitate toward.
Real Example
How We Delivered
Scenario
A Shoreditch streetwear brand was sourcing 480 GSM hoodies from a Turkish manufacturer but faced inconsistent quality — fabric weight varied between batches, embroidery was rough, and lead times stretched to 10 weeks. Post-Brexit customs were adding 12% duty because the Turkish supplier didn't provide proper origin documentation.
Solution
We produced 120 hoodies in 480 GSM brushed fleece with 3D puff embroidery and garment-dyed finish, plus 200 organic cotton tees in 240 GSM with water-based screen prints. Full EUR.1 documentation provided for duty-free UK import. Delivered via road freight to their East London warehouse in 3 days.
Result
Lead time cut from 10 weeks to 5. Per-unit cost dropped 25% versus Turkey when factoring in the 12% duty savings. Quality consistency resolved — every garment within spec. Brand now runs quarterly production cycles with us and has expanded from online-only to two London stockists.
Process
How It Works
Send Your Tech Pack
Share your tech pack with flat sketches, measurements, and fabric specs. Still developing it? Send what you have — we'll help you refine it.
Get a Quote in 48h
Receive a detailed, transparent quotation covering fabric, trims, manufacturing, and finishing. Factory-direct pricing, no middlemen.
Approve Your Sample
We produce a pre-production sample for your review. Iterate until every detail — fit, fabric, colour, construction — matches your vision.
Production & Delivery
Full production with quality control at every stage. Packed to your specs and shipped directly to your warehouse or fulfillment centre.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked
Are there import duties on clothing from Portugal to the UK?
Under the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), textiles manufactured in Portugal enter the UK at 0% tariff when Rules of Origin are met. The key document is the EUR.1 movement certificate, which proves the goods were manufactured in the EU from qualifying materials. We issue EUR.1 certificates with every shipment as standard. Without this documentation, UK customs would apply the standard 12% UK Global Tariff on fashion goods. Many brands unknowingly pay this because their manufacturer doesn't provide origin proof — we make sure you don't.
How long does delivery take from Portugal to London?
Road freight from Barcelos to London takes 2–3 business days, including the Channel crossing and UK customs clearance. Express courier for samples (DHL/FedEx) arrives in 24–48 hours. We use logistics partners experienced with post-Brexit UK shipments — they handle customs declarations, HMRC entry, and delivery to your door or warehouse.
What customs paperwork do you handle for UK orders?
We prepare all export documentation: commercial invoices, packing lists, EUR.1 movement certificates for preferential origin, commodity codes (HS/CN codes), and statements of origin. Shipments are DAP (Delivered At Place) — we handle transport to your UK address and provide all paperwork. You handle customs clearance and any applicable import duties on your side.
What is the minimum order for London brands?
50 units per style per colour — identical for all our clients. This suits London's streetwear drop model perfectly: produce 50–100 units per colourway, sell through on your DTC site or via stockists, and reorder winners in 3–4 weeks. Most London clients start with 2–3 styles at minimum quantity and scale based on sell-through data.
How do payments work for UK companies?
We invoice in EUR or GBP — your choice. Payment via international bank transfer (SWIFT/SEPA). Standard terms: 50% deposit on order confirmation, 50% before shipment. For established clients with a production history, we offer flexible payment terms. Most London brands pay in EUR to avoid conversion fees on our side, but we accommodate GBP if preferred.
Can I visit the factory?
Factory visits are available for production clients — once samples are approved and bulk production is underway. Porto is a 2.5-hour direct flight from London (Ryanair, easyJet, TAP all fly the route), and Barcelos is about 40 minutes from Porto airport. Several London brands combine a factory visit with a weekend in Porto — consistently rated one of Europe's best city breaks.
How does Portugal compare to Turkey for London brands?
Many London brands moved to Turkey post-Brexit for proximity and perceived simplicity. The trade-offs: Turkish quality varies significantly between factories, lead times typically run 8–12 weeks (vs our 4–6), and 'Made in Turkey' carries less retail cachet than 'Made in Portugal' in London stockists. Portuguese manufacturing also offers lower MOQs (50 vs Turkey's typical 200–500), stronger sustainability credentials (EU environmental regulations), and — critically — duty-free UK access under the TCA with proper documentation. For premium streetwear and knitwear, Portugal is the stronger choice.
Do you work with sustainable London brands?
Yes — sustainability is central to London's fashion identity. We source OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified fabrics (independently tested for harmful substances), GOTS-certified organic cotton, and GRS-certified recycled materials. We provide the traceability documentation that Shoreditch's Sustainable Fashion Week exhibitors, B-Corp brands, and conscious retailers like Selfridges require. London's 'who made my clothes?' culture demands transparency — and we deliver it.
Ready to manufacture for london brands?
Also Manufacturing For