Sourcing aramid tyre cord fabric from China

Aramid tyre cord fabric: 0% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 6 October 2026, heading 5902 covers tyre cord fabric of high-tenacity nylon or other polyamide, polyester or viscose rayon yarn. The tariff's textile section expressly includes aramids within polyamides. This guide therefore uses the polyamide lines for aramid tyre cord fabric; the supplied data contains only these relevant commodity lines.

Goods from China carry 0% duty under 5902 10 10 00 when impregnated with rubber and 5902 10 90 00 for other qualifying fabric. The supplied tariff snapshot records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for either line. See the wider tyre cord fabric guide for the other fibres.

Confirm the commodity code using the yarn composition, evidence of high tenacity, fabric construction and treatment description. Ask the mill to identify the impregnation material rather than describing everything as dipped. Send a sample and the finish specification to your customs broker if the distinction is unclear.

Specify the aramid yarn and rubber bond

Specify the aramid type and yarn manufacturer, yarn count, ply construction, twist, cord spacing, weft, fabric width and roll length. Record whether the order is greige, adhesive-treated or rubber-impregnated. Agree breaking strength, elongation at a stated load and heat shrinkage, with the test method and acceptance criteria written into the purchase specification.

Qualify the treatment with your own rubber compound and curing conditions. Agree adhesion acceptance criteria and retain an approved sample. Ask for a UK REACH statement covering the finished fabric and its treatment. Candidate List inclusion brings supplier obligations under UK REACH, so obtain substance information that identifies the supplied grade and finish.

Agree sealed packing, protection from moisture and light, storage conditions and shelf life. Include batch identification on each roll so yarn, treatment and test records can be matched to the fabric delivered.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Trial batch of rubber-impregnated aramid tyre cord fabric rolls, illustrative under 5902 10 10 00, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £15,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £15,200, so it is £3,040. 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

Yarn identity: check the aramid grade and yarn manufacturer's records against the approved specification, including any declared blend.

Batch performance: check breaking strength, elongation, heat shrinkage and treatment pick-up against the agreed limits; test adhesion using your rubber compound.

Fabric construction: measure width and cord spacing, check weft spacing, and inspect for loose ends, knots, distorted cords and contamination.

Packing and traceability: check seals, moisture damage, roll identification and production records against the agreed storage conditions and shelf life. Use the inspection guide to organise the checks.

What goes wrong

A fabric can meet its breaking-strength target yet bond poorly to your rubber compound. A changed yarn grade or treatment recipe can make an approved sample unrepresentative of production. Require approval before either changes and compare delivered lots with the retained sample.

Uneven treatment, drifting cord spacing and damaged packing create inconsistent material. Heat, humidity and ageing can reduce adhesion before the fabric reaches production. Record arrival condition and isolate suspect rolls while the mill investigates the batch.

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.