How to export Cotton fabrics from the UK to China
Agree the fabric specification and Chinese tariff line with your importer before quoting. The listed lines carry 8% MFN duty; import VAT has a 13% standard rate, subject to exceptions. Confirm the applicable textile requirements before shipping. Cambridge China Bridge's own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands.
Cotton and linen fabrics: UK exports under HS 5208-5309 (74 subheadings)
HMRC recorded £2.4m of UK goods exports to mainland China under 74 HS6 subheadings in 2025 (2024: £2.8m, -13.3%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £677k. January to July 2026: £1.6m against £1.7m in the same months of 2025 (-8.3%). These are UK exports under HS 5208-5309 (74 subheadings).
Start with an importer able to assess your fabric specification and arrange clearance. These fabrics are absent from the cross-border e-commerce retail import list. GACC Decree 280 concerns overseas food manufacturers, so its food-manufacturer registration does not apply. For wool fabrics, see exporting UK wool fabrics to China.
The largest listed UK export line was 52113200, covering cotton-predominant woven blends with less than 85% cotton: UK exports to mainland China under HS 521132 were £432k for that line in 2025. This is an export-line total, not evidence of demand for your particular fabric.
Price against the Chinese tariff line
The selected Chinese lines below carry 8% MFN duty. Note the Chinese splits under HS 530911 and 530921 rather than copying a UK export suffix. Import VAT has a 13% standard rate, subject to exceptions, and is calculated on customs value plus duty plus consumption tax. The importer's adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies. These border charges shape landed cost and the price your importer can offer.
| Chinese tariff line | Rate |
|---|---|
| 52081100 | 8% |
| 52113200 | 8% |
| 53091110 | 8% |
| 53091120 | 8% |
| 53091900 | 8% |
| 53092110 | 8% |
| 53092120 | 8% |
| 53092900 | 8% |
Resolve textile safety requirements before production
GB 18401-2010, China's national basic safety technical specification for textile products, is a current mandatory standard. Give the importer the fibre composition, weight, weave, finish and intended use of each fabric. Have the applicable requirements confirmed against that specification before agreeing production, testing or pack artwork.
Prepare the UK export declaration for each fabric
Classify each fabric and find its UK commodity code before export. A GB EORI is needed when exporting from England, Wales or Scotland. The online export declaration needs the code, value, weight, packaging, destination, transport and invoice and packing list references. Give the carrier the invoice and any applicable export licences or certificates. Keep fabric descriptions consistent with the specification your Chinese importer has reviewed.
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Find and check the Chinese importing partner
Before accepting an order, ask the importer to review the proposed Chinese tariff line, the textile safety requirements and a landed-cost calculation for your actual fabric. Agree who will resolve specification questions and how samples will be compared with the shipped fabric.
Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands. If a Chinese importer has already approached your brand, our staff in China check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed.
The importer of record and any other required regulated roles stay with licensed partners in China, and the brand's own filings stay the brand's. Use our export service to arrange importer checks.
Frequently asked questions
What Chinese duty applies to cotton and linen fabric?
The listed Chinese tariff lines carry 8% MFN duty. Match the fabric to its precise Chinese line before quoting; linen HS 530911 and 530921 each have Chinese subdivisions.
Can I sell fabric through cross-border e-commerce?
These fabrics are absent from the cross-border e-commerce retail import list. Discuss the shipment route and clearance arrangements with your Chinese importer before accepting an order.
Does cotton fabric need GACC food registration?
No. GACC Decree 280 covers overseas food producers, processors and storage enterprises. Its food-manufacturer registration does not apply to these fabrics.
Which Chinese textile standard should I discuss?
Discuss GB 18401-2010, the current mandatory basic safety specification for textile products. Have its applicable requirements confirmed for the fabric's specification and intended use.