Sourcing aramid-elastane jersey from China

8% duty on qualifying aramid-elastane jersey

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6004 covers knitted or crocheted fabrics wider than 30 cm containing at least 5% by weight of elastomeric yarn or rubber thread, excluding fabrics of heading 6001. Aramid-elastane jersey of synthetic fibres without rubber thread falls under 6004 10 00 10 when these conditions are met. The table shows finishes within this same commodity line.

The synthetic-fibre line carries 8% duty on goods from China. Across the heading, rates range from 6% to 8%, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension recorded. The separate other-fabrics line, 6004 90 00 00, carries cat and dog fur import and export controls. Imports and exports of that fur and products made from it are banned; this is distinct from the synthetic jersey covered here.

Confirm the blend, elastomeric yarn share, absence of rubber thread, construction and width before choosing the commodity code. A supplier's description of fabric as stretch jersey does not establish the heading. See the cotton-elastane jersey guide for the wider heading context.

Specify the aramid blend and finished performance

State whether the yarn uses meta-aramid, para-aramid or a mixture, identify every other fibre, and agree the composition by weight. Specify jersey construction, yarn details, mass per square metre, usable finished width, stretch direction, recovery after extension, colour and finishing process. Keep an approved sample and agree tolerances before production.

For fabric sold to consumers by the metre, fibre composition must be labelled; confirm the permitted fibre names with Trading Standards. Verify the mill's composition rather than copying a brand name onto the label. For dyed or printed fabric intended for prolonged skin contact, ask HSE to confirm the applicable UK REACH azo-dye restrictions; request reports matching the supplied quality and colour.

If the fabric will become protective clothing, agree the intended hazard and test the finished blend after the proposed care process. Manufacturers of protective equipment must design and manufacture it to the applicable essential health and safety requirements. A yarn datasheet alone does not establish the performance of the jersey or finished garment. Agree the assessment plan with the garment maker through testing and certification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial order of dyed aramid-elastane jersey in rolls under 6004 10 00 10, invoiced at £21,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £22,800. Duty at 8% is £1,824. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £24,624, so it is £4,924.80. Import taxes total £6,748.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,824 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: compare roll labels, batch records and composition reports with the approved blend. Check that any named aramid yarn can be traced to the material actually knitted.

Dimensions: measure usable width and mass per square metre across sampled rolls. Check roll length, edge curl, needle lines, holes and shade against the agreed sample.

Stretch and washing: compare extension and recovery in each direction, then check shrinkage, spirality and recovery after the agreed washing process. Look for bagging and broken elastane yarns.

Performance: obtain test results for the supplied finished blend and intended use, with samples traceable to production batches. Check colour transfer and any agreed heat or flame performance after care. Define sampling and acceptance in the inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A report for aramid yarn is offered as evidence for a different finished blend, or a bulk lot uses another aramid type, elastane share or finish. Stretch recovery and heat behaviour can then differ from the approved sample. Require reports that identify the actual material and keep retained samples from the approved and supplied lots.

Bulk rolls can arrive light, narrow, streaked or distorted after washing. Poor recovery causes bagging, while edge curl reduces the width available for cutting. Compare washed bulk samples with the approved sample before releasing rolls for garment production.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.