How to export technical textiles to China
Start with the fabric specification and intended use, then agree the Chinese tariff line and import route with your buyer. The listed tariff lines carry 8% MFN duty; standards and retail eligibility need product-level checks. Cambridge China Bridge’s own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands.
Technical textiles and nonwovens: UK exports under HS 5407-5911 (59 subheadings)
For industrial supply, agree the material specification, end use and proposed Chinese tariff line with the importer before quoting. Distinguish woven fabrics, felt, nonwovens and coated fabrics rather than declaring everything as technical textiles. The largest listed UK export line was 56031310, coated or covered nonwovens of man-made filaments: UK exports to mainland China under HS 560313 were £10.1m for that line in 2025. These are code totals, not sales of your particular product. For yarns rather than finished textiles, see exporting UK yarns to China. For the reverse trade route, see sourcing nylon ripstop fabric.
HMRC recorded £36.3m of UK goods exports to mainland China under 59 HS6 subheadings in 2025 (2024: £36.2m, +0.2%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £4.5m. January to July 2026: £20.9m against £21.9m in the same months of 2025 (-4.3%). The full HS scope is shown in this section’s heading.
Price against the Chinese tariff line
The supplied Chinese tariff lines carry 8% MFN duty, including those below. Import VAT is normally 13%, subject to statutory exceptions, on customs value plus duty plus any applicable consumption tax. These border charges shape the landed cost and the price your importer can offer. Have the importer’s customs adviser confirm the applicable VAT treatment and whether consumption tax applies to the fabric.
| Chinese tariff line | Rate |
|---|---|
| 54071010 | 8% |
| 54071020 | 8% |
| 56031310 | 8% |
| 56031390 | 8% |
| 59069910 | 8% |
| 59069990 | 8% |
Check the textile standard against the intended use
GB 18401-2010, China’s National General Safety Technical Code for Textile Products, is a current mandatory standard. Have the importer establish whether its scope covers your fabric and intended use before agreeing a compliance specification. Supply fibre composition, construction, coating or impregnation details and available test reports so that the discussion concerns the actual material rather than a broad product description.
Prepare the UK declaration for the actual fabric
For exports from England, Scotland or Wales, obtain a GB EORI and select the correct UK commodity code. 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 the fabric specification consistent across the quotation and declaration; the UK export line and Chinese tariff line can differ.
Use retail e-commerce only for an eligible personal-use sale
The retail list includes Chinese lines 54076100, 56031110, 56031190, 56039190, 56039210 and 56039290, rather than the whole range. Listed goods using 1210 or 9610 are supervised as personal-use articles and may not be resold. A mainland-registered company must handle customs registration and truthful declaration and share civil liability; the overseas seller retains primary quality and safety responsibility. This route does not fit a distributor buying fabric for resale.
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Check the importer before committing stock
Ask a prospective importer to explain its intended use, chosen tariff line and route, and how it will resolve the fabric’s standards requirements. If an importer has already approached you, our staff in China check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed.
Through our export-to-China service, we prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China. The importer of record and any required cross-border e-commerce agent remain with licensed partners in China, and your own filings stay yours. Agree the material specification and the buyer’s responsibilities before committing to supply.
Frequently asked questions
What Chinese duty applies to technical textiles?
The supplied Chinese tariff lines carry 8% MFN duty. Classify the actual fabric first: woven material, nonwoven and coated fabric can fall under different lines.
Does GB 18401-2010 cover my industrial fabric?
It is a current mandatory textile safety standard. Ask the importer to establish its scope for your particular fabric and intended use before agreeing the compliance specification.
Can I sell nonwovens through cross-border e-commerce?
The list includes 56031110, 56031190, 56039190, 56039210 and 56039290. Eligibility depends on the exact line. Retail imports are for personal use and may not be resold.
What should I check when a Chinese fabric importer contacts me?
Check its intended use, tariff line, route and standards plan. Cambridge China Bridge’s staff in China can check the company before you send stock or sign anything.