According to NBD DATA, the Philippines’ imports of knitted cotton T-shirts (HS Code 61091010000) reached a total value of USD 61.88 million in 2025, marking strong demand in the apparel and retail sectors. The country imported a total of 11.76 million kilograms, distributed across 20,949 shipments from 70 countries. The import market was dominated by international fashion brands such as Fast Retailing (Uniqlo), H&M, Nike, and Adidas, reflecting the Philippines’ vibrant retail scene and its integration into the global textile supply chain.
Representative product descriptions include “Men’s knitted T-shirt 100% cotton (UNIQLO)”, “NBA Men’s T-shirt 60% cotton 40% polyester”, and “Nike brand short sleeve active knit shirt.” These items highlight the variety of casual and branded T-shirts entering the country’s retail market.
Throughout 2025, the Philippines maintained a steady stream of T-shirt imports, with noticeable peaks in midyear months driven by seasonal product releases and consumer demand cycles. The highest import values occurred in November (USD 6.71 million) and December (USD 5.34 million), coinciding with the year-end retail surge and holiday season.

The import pattern reflects strong inventory buildup from the second quarter onward, aligning with production schedules in major exporting economies such as Vietnam, Bangladesh, and China.
The Philippines imported T-shirts from over 70 countries in 2025, but the trade was concentrated among key Asian manufacturing economies. The top origins included Vietnam, Bangladesh, and China, collectively supplying over 70% of total imports.
Secondary contributors were Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, reflecting ASEAN’s integrated textile trade network.

Vietnam’s prominence underscores its critical role in the apparel value chain, while Bangladesh’s low-cost manufacturing advantage continues to attract global brands. China remains competitive for fabric supply and short-cycle production.
The diversity of import descriptions reveals two key segments in the Philippine T-shirt market:
Basic Cotton Apparel – 100% cotton knitted shirts from Uniqlo and H&M, emphasizing comfort and affordability.
Branded Sportswear and Lifestyle Apparel – 60% cotton, 40% polyester blends for Nike, Adidas, NBA, and MLB licensed collections.
Emerging trends indicate a rising share of eco-friendly materials and sustainable sourcing, as many imported items reference organic cotton or recycled polyester. Fast-fashion retailers are also investing in traceable supply chains to comply with international sustainability standards.
The Philippines’ apparel import ecosystem in 2025 highlights its strategic position within the Asian textile network.
Products imported by Uniqlo and H&M flowed through multi-country production chains — raw materials from China, sewing and finishing in Vietnam or Bangladesh, and logistics consolidation in Malaysia or Hong Kong. This networked supply chain enables Philippine retailers to manage seasonal demand efficiently.
The 2025 data demonstrate that the Philippines’ knitted cotton T-shirt imports are tightly linked to global fashion and sportswear trends.
Leading multinational brands continued to use the country as both a consumer and distribution market, leveraging ASEAN’s open trade policies and regional production efficiency.
Looking ahead to 2026, import volumes are expected to grow moderately as retail demand stabilizes and sustainability-driven sourcing expands. The rise of local e-commerce platforms is also anticipated to boost direct-to-consumer imports of branded apparel.
Data source: Based on 2025 Philippine import data compiled by NBD DATA. For custom apparel trade analytics and supplier reports, please visit our service page