Sourcing airlaid nonwoven fabric from China
Airlaid nonwoven fabric from China normally pays 4% UK duty across the relevant weight bands. Narrow 0% suspensions concern specified products, not ordinary airlaid rolls. End use determines the evidence needed, particularly for food contact or medical products. Cambridge China Bridge sources airlaid nonwoven fabric.
Ordinary airlaid rolls: 4% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 5603 covers nonwovens, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated. For airlaid rolls, provide the fibre composition, weight per square metre and surface treatment before choosing a line. The table shows candidate other-nonwoven lines, rather than a classification based solely on the airlaid process.
The selected lines carry 4% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded and no attached import controls. They also record narrow 0% suspensions for specified products, including surgical or medical protective garments and, on certain lines, specified technical nonwovens. Do not apply these to ordinary pulp-based airlaid rolls merely because the code matches.
Finished wipes and other made-up products can have different codes. Confirm the commodity code against the material actually supplied. For the wider heading, see the spunlace nonwoven fabric guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other nonwovens, over 25 to 70 g/m², neither coated nor covered | 5603 92 90 90 | 4% | None |
| Other nonwovens, over 25 to 70 g/m², coated or covered, other | 5603 92 10 90 | 4% | None |
| Other nonwovens, over 70 to 150 g/m², neither coated nor covered | 5603 93 90 90 | 4% | None |
| Other nonwovens, over 70 to 150 g/m², coated or covered | 5603 93 10 00 | 4% | None |
Specify pulp, bonding and absorbency
State the pulp and other fibre composition, binder type and content, bonding method, weight per square metre and tolerance. Agree thickness under a stated measuring pressure, absorbency, wet and dry strength, lint release and the intended converting process. Specify roll width, length, core dimensions, winding direction and how joins are identified.
For absorbent pads or wiping substrates, agree a test liquid, conditioning method and how uptake and retention will be measured. Test the material after the storage conditions you expect. Ask for evidence covering the supplied pulp, binder and any finish, rather than accepting a report for a different grade.
Food-contact grades need food-contact evidence; material intended for medical or protective products needs the evidence applicable to the finished product. Ask for a UK REACH statement on binders and finishes. UK REACH restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on substances. Review the actual formulation before accepting a compliance claim.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 8 tonnes of uncoated airlaid nonwoven rolls under 5603 93 90 90, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £2,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £16,200. Duty at 4% is £648. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £16,848, so it is £3,369.60. Import taxes total £4,017.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £648 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Weight and thickness: sample across the width and from different rolls; compare mass per unit area and thickness at the agreed pressure with the order.
Absorbency and strength: check liquid uptake, retention and wet handling against the approved sample using the agreed method.
Surface and cleanliness: check for pulp clumps, thin areas, loose fibres, binder spots, odour and contamination.
Rolls and records: measure width and length, check crushed cores and winding, and match roll batch labels to test reports. Agree the sampling brief through quality inspection.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
Airlaid can look even while its absorbency and strength vary across the web. Uneven pulp distribution creates thin areas; excess binder can leave stiff spots and reduce uptake. Too little bonding can cause lint release or tearing during wet use. Compare production samples with the approved grade on your converting line.
Compressed rolls may lose bulk, damaged edges can disrupt unwinding, and moisture can spoil stock. Check recovery after unpacking and retain samples from the received batch. A report for another binder or finish does not establish the performance of the material delivered.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on airlaid fabric from China?
Ordinary airlaid nonwoven rolls on the selected heading 5603 lines pay 4%. Narrow 0% suspensions cover specified products; no anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded.
Does airlaid fabric have its own commodity code?
The process name alone does not settle the code. Confirm fibre composition, weight per square metre, coating or covering, and whether the goods are rolls or finished articles.
What should I test before ordering airlaid rolls?
Agree absorbency, liquid retention, wet and dry strength, lint release and thickness under a stated pressure. Trial the approved material on your converting line.
Can I use airlaid fabric in food-contact pads?
Food-contact use needs evidence for that application. Ask for evidence covering the actual pulp, binder and finish supplied, together with the intended contact conditions.