Sourcing asphalt-coated fabric from China

A flat 4% for asphalt-coated fabric

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 5907 covers textile fabrics otherwise impregnated, coated or covered, including painted scenery canvas. This guide concerns asphalt-coated textile fabric in rolls within the heading. The table shows fabric variants using the same tariff line, rather than separate commodity codes. See the wider coated fabrics guide for other products.

The relevant other-fabrics line, 5907 00 00 90, carries 4% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, suspension or attached import control for this line. The separate embedded-sphere fabric line has a suspension; that does not apply to ordinary asphalt-coated fabric.

Confirm the commodity code using the base textile, coating composition, cross-section and supplied form. Plastic-coated fabrics fall under heading 5903 and rubberised fabrics under 5906, as explained in the wider guide. Have the broker check the actual construction before applying the asphalt-coated fabric code.

Specify the textile backing and asphalt coating

Specify the backing fibre, weave, width, roll length, base-fabric mass and finished mass. Describe the asphalt or bitumen formulation, modifiers, fillers, coating coverage and any release liner. State whether coating is on the face, reverse or both surfaces. Agree tolerances and retain a signed sample showing the cut edge and coating penetration.

Agree flexibility after cold conditioning, resistance to coating transfer during warm storage, adhesion to the backing and tensile and tear performance. If waterproofing is claimed, agree a water-penetration test and acceptance criteria for the intended application. Include compatibility checks with the buyer's adhesives, substrate and installation method.

UK REACH generally covers substances in articles, and restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on their supply or use. Request formulation information and evidence addressing applicable restrictions. For construction use, confirm the relevant conformity route and supporting performance documents before ordering. CE marking remains available for construction products placed on the Great Britain market.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1,800 metres of asphalt-coated cotton fabric under 5907 00 00 90, 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 4% is £608. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £15,808, so it is £3,161.60. Import taxes total £3,769.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £608 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Backing and dimensions: check fibre identification, weave, width, usable roll length and finished mass against the order; compare the backing with the approved sample.

Coating coverage: inspect across the width and along sampled rolls for bare patches, pinholes, edge thinning, excess coating and exposed yarns; examine cut sections for uneven penetration.

Flexibility and release: unroll conditioned samples and check for cracking, coating separation, sticking between layers and transfer onto the backing or release liner.

Packing and traceability: check roll identification, batch references, cores, protected edges and dry wrapping; retain arrival samples before cutting or installation.

What goes wrong

A roll can match the approved colour while having a different backing or coating mass. Thin areas undermine the agreed water resistance, brittle coating cracks on unrolling, and tacky coating makes layers stick together. Treat these as separate acceptance checks rather than judging the roll by appearance alone.

Avoid accepting a roofing-membrane report as evidence for a different coated textile construction. Match reports to the supplied backing, formulation and intended use. Agree storage and handling instructions with the factory, then compare arrival samples with the signed sample and recorded inspection results.

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.