UK vs US vs EU Sizing in Stocklots: The Conversion Table That Saves Containers
The direct answer: most Pakistani garment stocklots are manufactured in UK or EU sizing for Western order books — a UK 12 is a US 8 and roughly an EU 40 — and the buyer who knows the conversions buys the right mix for their market, while the one who doesn’t ends up with a container of beautiful clothes in the wrong sizes.
Part of the buyer journey: Category Deep-Dives: Denim, Kidswear, Knits, Bedding and More — stage 4 of 8, with the other guides for this stage.
The conversions that matter
For womenswear: UK sizing runs two above US and roughly eight above EU — a UK 10 is a US 6 and an EU 38. For menswear, shirts and suits map UK to US one-to-one, while EU menswear adds roughly ten to the UK chest size (a UK 40 chest is an EU 50). Kids sizes run by age in the UK system and by height in centimetres in the EU system — the age-to-height conversion table is worth printing and pinning in the warehouse.
Shoes carry their own offset: UK womens to US adds roughly two (UK 5 ≈ US 7), EU adds roughly 33 to the UK number. The offsets are approximations because brands drift, but they are close enough to plan a buy — the exact fit check happens at the piece level on arrival, not at the offer level.
What it means for your market
The practical rule for African and Middle East resale: UK sizing fits the Commonwealth-influenced markets directly (Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa), EU sizing fits the francophone and North African trade, and US sizes need the mental minus-two before quoting. A mixed lot described as "UK graded" tells you the local resale conversation needs no translation; a lot in US or EU grading is not wrong — it just prices against a different size-savvy buyer.
How to check before buying: ask the supplier the grading origin and the size distribution — a serious stocklot seller can state the S/M/L or numeric split approximately, and will tell you the order book’s destination country, which settles the sizing question at the source. Buyers who skip this step discover the problem when the bale opens; the five-minute question at offer stage is the cheapest insurance in the trade.
What stocklots are available right now?
Reading is step one. Send your requirement and we will check the factory network for current options.
Buyer questions, answered
What is a UK 12 in US and EU sizing?
A UK 12 is a US 8 and roughly an EU 40 — UK womenswear runs two above US and about eight below EU numbering.
Do Pakistani stocklots come in UK sizing?
Mostly yes — Pakistani export production was cut for UK, EU or US order books, and the grading follows the destination market; always ask which.
Which sizing fits East African markets best?
UK sizing fits directly — Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda retail follow UK conventions, so UK-graded stocklots need no conversion for local resale.
How do I check size mix before buying a lot?
Ask the supplier for the grading origin and the approximate size distribution — a serious seller states the split and the original order’s destination country upfront.