Sourcing acetate tow from China
Artificial filament tow from China, cellulose acetate tow and other artificial tow such as viscose, used to make filter products and staple fibre, pays 0% UK duty on both lines of heading 5502, with no anti-dumping duty. Converters check filament and total denier, crimp, finish, whiteness and bale integrity, and confirm the rules that apply to the end product.
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0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 16 November 2026, heading 5502 covers artificial filament tow, split into cellulose acetate and other. Both lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Synthetic tow is covered in our synthetic filament tow guide; confirm the commodity code from the polymer.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial filament tow of cellulose acetate | 5502 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other artificial filament tow | 5502 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specifying tow
Specify polymer, filament denier and total denier, cross-section, crimp, finish, whiteness, and bale weight and packing. Where the tow goes into a regulated product, the rules for that product apply to the finished item, so confirm them with your customer before ordering.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 10 tonnes of cellulose acetate tow under 5502 10 00 00, invoiced at £50,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £51,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £51,500, so it is £10,300. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Testing: check filament and total denier and crimp on samples.
Appearance: check whiteness and contamination.
Bales: check bale integrity and lot marks. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Tow orders fail on denier, crimp and bales. Total denier drifts, crimp is uneven so processing slows, and damaged bales tangle.
Cambridge China Bridge sources fibres and materials for UK converters and makers from small lots; see small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on acetate tow from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 16 November 2026, cellulose acetate tow under 5502 10 00 00 carried 0% from China.
Is polyester tow in heading 5502?
No. Synthetic filament tow is heading 5501.
What should I test on tow?
Filament and total denier, crimp, whiteness and bale condition.
Do end-product rules apply to tow?
They apply to the finished product; confirm them with your customer before ordering.