How to export scarves from the UK to China

Choose the route before quoting

For scarves, shawls and ties, start with the construction and fibre composition, then agree the import route with the buyer. We rate the export difficulty medium; have the importer confirm applicable entry requirements before dispatch. The largest reported UK export line under HS 621420 was 62142000, covering wool or fine animal hair articles, at £670k in 2025. This is the tariff-line total.

UK exports under HS 6117-6215 (13 subheadings): HMRC recorded £918k of UK goods exports to mainland China under 13 HS6 subheadings in 2025 (2024: £1.5m, -39.7%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £5.1m.

Under HS 6117-6215 (13 subheadings), UK exports were: January to July 2026: £241k against £162k in the same months of 2025 (+48.4%).

Build duty and VAT into the buyer's price

Every Chinese tariff line below has a 6% MFN rate. Import VAT's standard rate is 13%, subject to statutory exceptions; its base is customs value plus duty plus any consumption tax. The importer's customs broker or adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies to these accessories. These charges add to landed cost and shape the price the importer can offer your brand.

Resolve textile safety requirements

GB 18401-2010, China's National General Safety Technical Code for Textile Products, is a current mandatory standard. Give the importer your scarves' material and construction details so it can confirm the applicable requirements before production is committed. GACC Decree 280 covers overseas food producers, processors and storage enterprises; its food-manufacturer registration does not apply to these textiles.

Prepare the UK export declaration

Find the correct UK commodity code rather than copying the buyer's Chinese tariff line. Exports from England, Scotland or Wales require a GB EORI and an online export declaration. Prepare the code, value, weight, packaging, destination, transport details, and invoice and packing list references for the declarant. Give the carrier the invoice and any applicable export licences or certificates, and agree who will make the declaration.

Check whether your knitted range fits cross-border retail

Cross-border retail's import list partially covers this category: 61171011, 61171019, 61171020 and 61171090 cover knitted or crocheted scarf-type articles; 61178010 covers knitted or crocheted ties and bow ties, and 61178090 other knitted or crocheted accessories. Confirm your exact line before choosing bonded 1210 or direct 9610 retail imports. Listed goods receive personal-use supervision, with first-import licence, registration and filing requirements disapplied, subject to epidemic-area suspensions and emergency risk handling.

Overseas businesses bear primary quality and safety responsibility and must appoint a mainland-registered company for customs registration, truthful declarations and shared civil liability. Consumers must accept a risk notice covering origin-country standards, possible differences from Chinese standards, possible absence of Chinese labels with online Chinese e-labels, and personal use without resale. The limits are RMB 5,000 per transaction and RMB 26,000 annually per person.

Check the Chinese buyer before sending stock

Ask a prospective buyer which tariff lines and import route it intends to use, and how it has allowed for duty, VAT and textile safety requirements in its offer. Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands. If an importer has already approached you, our staff check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed. See our export-to-China service.

We prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China. Regulated roles stay with licensed partners in China, including the importer of record and, where required, the cross-border e-commerce agent; your brand's own filings stay yours. Agree the applicable work with those partners before committing the shipment.