If you buy custom team uniforms or build a sportswear brand, there is a good chance your gear was made in Sialkot, Pakistan. The city has made sporting goods for well over a century and is one of the best-known sportswear and sports equipment manufacturing centers in the world. This guide explains what makes Sialkot different, how sourcing from Pakistan compares with other countries, and what to check before you choose a supplier.
What is Sialkot known for?
Sialkot is a city in Punjab, Pakistan, close to the border with India. Its sporting goods industry began in the colonial era with hockey sticks and cricket bats, and grew into soccer balls, gloves, protective gear and sportswear. Sialkot made the official match balls for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and today its factories supply team uniforms, fightwear, gloves and balls to clubs and brands around the world.
The city’s exporters even built their own airport. Sialkot International Airport was developed largely with funding from local businesspeople so exporters could ship directly, which says a lot about how export-focused the city is.
Why source sportswear from Sialkot?
1. Specialized skills in one place
Pattern makers, sublimation printers, embroiderers, stitchers and fabric suppliers all work within a short distance of each other. That makes it practical to produce complex team orders, from sublimated singlets to tackle twill baseball jerseys and knit-in socks, without long supply chains.
2. Small and mid-size orders
Many large overseas factories need thousands of pieces per style. Sialkot manufacturers are used to team-sized orders. At Hameen Sports, most products have no minimum order, and our best per-piece prices start at 20 pieces, which suits schools, clubs and new private label brands.
3. Customization is the norm
Team apparel is almost always custom: names, numbers, colors and logos. Sialkot factories are set up for this kind of work, with design teams that turn a logo or sketch into a mockup before production.
4. Competitive landed cost
Labor and production costs are competitive, and as of October 2026, apparel from Pakistan carries a 10% additional Section 301 tariff in the USA, compared with 12.5% plus older Section 301 duties for apparel from China. Base duty rates still apply in both cases. Our guide to importing sportswear from Pakistan to the USA explains how to estimate your total cost.
Sialkot vs China vs domestic production
| Factor | Sialkot, Pakistan | China | US domestic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical minimums | Low, team-sized runs | Often higher per style | Low |
| Price per piece | Competitive | Competitive at volume | Highest |
| Additional US tariff (Oct 2026) | 10% Section 301 | 12.5% Section 301 plus older China tariffs | None |
| Delivery to the USA | About 2–3 weeks from deposit with Hameen Sports, including shipping | Varies by supplier | Fastest |
| Specialty | Team uniforms, fightwear, sublimation | Wide range of mass-market apparel | Fast local turnaround |
What to check before you choose a Sialkot supplier
- Do they make it themselves? Ask whether production happens in their own facility or is passed to subcontractors.
- Will they make a sample? A paid sample lets you check fabric, fit, print and stitching before bulk production.
- Do they show QC before dispatch? Ask for photos or video of your finished order before it ships.
- How do you pay? We accept bank wire (T/T) and Remitly. Be careful with suppliers that ask for unusual payment methods.
- Are they a registered business? Hameen Sports is a member of the local chamber of commerce and has been manufacturing since 2017.
Our full checklist is in how to choose a custom uniform manufacturer.
About Hameen Sports
Hameen Sports is a custom sportswear manufacturer in Sialkot, founded in 2017. We make team uniforms, warm-ups, fan wear and bags for 11 sports, mainly for teams and brands in the USA. Every order is designed, cut, decorated, sewn and checked in our own facility, then shipped with tracking. Learn more about us or request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Sialkot famous for sports goods?
Sialkot has made sporting goods for more than a century, starting with hockey sticks and cricket bats, and later soccer balls, gloves and sportswear. It made the official match balls for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Is it safe to order custom uniforms from Pakistan?
Yes, if you choose an established manufacturer. Check that they produce in their own facility, offer paid samples, share QC photos before dispatch and use secure payment methods such as bank wire.
How long does shipping from Sialkot to the USA take?
With Hameen Sports, most orders are delivered within 2–3 weeks of the deposit payment, including manufacturing and shipping.
Are tariffs lower on apparel from Pakistan than from China?
As of October 2026, apparel from Pakistan carries a 10% additional Section 301 tariff, while apparel from China carries 12.5% plus older Section 301 duties. Base duty rates apply to both. Tariffs change often, so check current rates before ordering.