Sourcing baby sleeping bags from China

Duty and classification for baby sleeping bags

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 16 October 2026, the relevant knitted baby sleeping bag lines under heading 6111 carry 12% duty from China. The supplied tariff data records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. This guide covers sleeping bags classified as knitted babies' garments, rather than every product sold as a sleeping bag.

The tariff attaches cat and dog fur and seal product import controls, with CITES import controls also attached to the wool or fine animal hair line. Imports of cat and dog fur products are banned. CITES specimens need an import permit. For seal products, the tariff attaches a control; confirm the requirement for goods from China with your customs broker before ordering.

HMRC's classification guidance specifies infants of a body height not more than 86cm for babies' garments. Confirm the commodity code using the actual construction, intended size and fibre composition, including lining and filling. See the baby clothing guide for the wider heading.

Specify neck fit, filling and fastenings

Set out the outer fabric, lining, filling, fibre composition, fabric weight and claimed thermal performance. Give the factory a measurement chart for the neck opening, armholes, chest and length, with agreed tolerances. Approve the zip guard, poppers, seam construction and washing instructions on a finished sample.

OPSS advises choosing sleeping bags with armholes, no hood and a fit that prevents the baby slipping inside. Make these features part of sample approval. Confirm the applicable general product-safety requirements with the relevant authority. Require a durable, legible fibre composition label and ask for chemical testing of fabrics, prints and trims.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 2,000 cotton knitted baby sleeping bags under 6111 20 90 00, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £19,200. Duty at 12% is £2,304. Baby sleeping bags shaped at the neck and armholes, or with sleeves or legs, count as babies' clothing and are zero-rated for VAT under HMRC's VAT Notice 714, so no import VAT is due and the £2,304 of duty is the border cost. Sleeping bags without neck holes, arm holes, sleeves or legs are standard-rated: import VAT at 20% on the customs value plus duty, £21,504, would be £4,300.80, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Fit: measure neck openings and armholes against the approved chart for each size, including after washing, and check the sizing guide matches the product.

Fastenings: operate zips, inspect zip guards and pull-test poppers and decorations before and after washing; check for loose threads inside.

Fabric and filling: compare fabric weight and filling distribution with the approved sample, inspect seams and check washing results for shrinkage, colour transfer and filling migration.

Labels and packing: check fibre composition, size, care instructions and approved warning text against the agreed artwork. Match carton contents to the packing list using the inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A bag can match the approved overall length while its neck opening is too large. Washing can alter fit, weak poppers can detach, and an exposed zip can rub against skin. Check the openings and fastenings on finished production samples rather than approving fabric alone.

Filling can bunch after washing, while a supplier's thermal claim may relate to a different construction. Ask for test evidence matching the finished fabric, lining and filling. Resolve differences between the sample, report and production specification before accepting the shipment.

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.