How to export home textiles from the UK to China

Choose the route for each textile product

Home textiles, towels and linens need classification by product, material and construction rather than one code for the whole range. Separate electric blankets under HS 630110 from ordinary blankets and bedding before discussing import arrangements. The largest listed UK export line was knitted or crocheted synthetic-fibre curtains under 63031200, at £73k. Use the selected Chinese tariff lines below to begin a product-by-product discussion with your importer.

HMRC recorded £549k of UK goods exports to mainland China under 32 HS6 subheadings in 2025 (2024: £651k, -15.7%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £1.4m. January to July 2026: £543k against £245k in the same months of 2025 (+121.7%). These are UK exports under HS codes listed in the table caption, rather than sales of a single textile product.

Price against the Chinese tariff line

The supplied Chinese tariff lines carry MFN duty of 6%, except synthetic-fibre blankets under 63014000 at 8%. Cotton terry toilet and kitchen linen under HS 630260 splits into Chinese lines 63026010 and 63026090, both at 6%. Have the importer’s customs broker confirm the full line for each SKU before you use a duty rate in a quotation.

Import VAT normally uses the 13% rate, subject to the VAT Law’s exceptions. Its base is customs value plus customs duty plus consumption tax; the importer’s adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies to the product. Border taxes add to landed cost and therefore affect the price a Chinese buyer can offer for your textiles.

Separate textile safety from electric blanket certification

GB 18401-2010, China’s mandatory basic safety technical specification for textile products, is current. Give your importer the material composition, intended use and available test reports so the applicable requirements can be checked for the actual product. Agree the label work with the importer and its licensed partners before approving production artwork.

The CCC reference table matches electric blankets, electric pads and flexible heating appliances to 6301100000 and specifies third-party certification. An electric blanket therefore needs its CCC position resolved before import; do not treat it like an ordinary wool or cotton blanket. Request certification evidence covering the proposed model and have its scope checked before dispatch.

Prepare the UK export declaration

For exports from England, Wales or Scotland, obtain a GB EORI and classify each textile correctly. Supply the declarant with commodity codes, value, weight, packaging, destination, transport details, and invoice and packing list references for the online export declaration. The carrier needs the invoice and any required export licences or certificates. Keep electric blanket model details consistent with the certification evidence supplied to the importer.

Use cross-border retail only for a matching listed line

Cross-border retail coverage is partial. The matched list entries are blankets under 63011000, 63012000, 63013000, 63014000 and 63019000, plus other knitted or crocheted textile bedlinen under 63021090. Check towels and curtains against their own list entries. Listed goods using bonded 1210 or direct 9610 are supervised as personal-use articles, with first-import licence, registration and filing requirements disapplied, subject to the stated risk exceptions.

The overseas business retains product quality and safety responsibility and must appoint a mainland-registered company for customs registration, truthful declarations and shared civil liability. Consumers must accept the risk notice, including personal use and no resale; a Chinese electronic label can be viewed online. Transaction limits are RMB 5,000 per order and RMB 26,000 per person annually. This route needs a retail plan rather than a distributor’s resale order.

Check a Chinese buyer before committing stock

Check whether a prospective buyer wants ordinary imports for distribution or eligible cross-border personal-use retail. Ask which textile lines it intends to handle and who will resolve classification, GB 18401-2010 requirements and electric blanket certification. Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands; if a buyer has already approached you, they check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed.

We prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China. The importer of record and any required cross-border e-commerce agent remain licensed partners in China, while the brand’s own filings remain the brand’s. Use our export-to-China service to arrange importer checks and preparation with those partners.