Sourcing bulk textile tea sacks from China
New bulk textile tea sacks from China carry standard UK duty of 4% to 12%, depending on material and construction. Certain lined bulk containers qualify for a conditional suspension. Packaging used to pack tea must be suitable for food use. Cambridge China Bridge sources bulk textile tea sacks.
Tea-sack duty by material and construction
Heading 6305 covers sacks and bags used for packing goods. This guide concerns empty textile sacks for transporting and storing bulk tea. Specify whether the sack is jute, cotton or synthetic, its construction and any separate liner. For the wider heading, see our jute coffee sacks guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, new jute sacks carried 4% duty for goods from China, woven cotton and woven polypropylene or polyethylene strip sacks 6%, and knitted polypropylene or polyethylene strip sacks 12%. Used jute sacks carried 2%. The supplied facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duties or attached import controls.
Under 6305 32 19 00, the standard duty is 6%, with an autonomous suspension to 0.00 % for qualifying polypropylene strip bags with a polyethylene liner. The suspension excludes mixtures, preparations or products made up of different components containing these products. Have your broker check the complete construction against the conditions and confirm the commodity code before shipment.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| New jute sacks for bulk tea | 6305 10 90 00 | 4% | None |
| Woven cotton sacks for bulk tea | 6305 20 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Woven polyethylene or polypropylene strip tea sacks | 6305 33 90 00 | 6% | None |
| Knitted polyethylene or polypropylene strip tea sacks | 6305 33 10 00 | 12% | None |
| Woven polyethylene or polypropylene strip bulk containers for tea | 6305 32 19 00 | 6% | None |
Specify the tea-contact layer and sack closure
Write down the tea type, intended fill weight, sack dimensions, fabric composition, weave, fabric weight, seam construction and closing method. Specify the liner material, thickness, seal design and how it is secured. Trial the finished sack on the intended filling and closing equipment, using the tea it will carry.
Packaging used to pack food must be suitable for food use. Ask for food-contact evidence covering the actual liner and any other surface that will touch the tea. Agree testing for the intended storage conditions through testing and certification support. Include an odour and taint trial using the intended tea.
Ask HMRC whether woven polypropylene sacks count towards Plastic Packaging Tax registration thresholds, including when they contain at least 30% recycled plastic. Confirm whether packaging containing at least 30% recycled plastic is chargeable once registration is required. Keep material and recycled-content evidence; see Plastic Packaging Tax.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 5,000 woven polypropylene tea sacks, illustrative order under 6305 33 90 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,800. Duty at 6% is £588. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,388, so it is £2,077.60. Import taxes total £2,665.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £588 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fabric and cleanliness: compare weave, fabric weight and finish with the approved sample; inspect inside for loose fibres, dust, insects, dampness and foreign matter.
Liner and closure: check for pinholes, tears, trapped folds and incomplete seals; confirm the liner stays in place during filling and closing.
Filled-sack performance: check filled dimensions, seam opening, leakage and handling performance against the agreed acceptance criteria. Test the complete sack rather than the outer fabric alone.
Odour and identification: compare empty-sack odour and packed-tea results with the approved sample; check batch identification and inspect delivery wrapping for moisture damage.
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What goes wrong
A strong outer sack can conceal a torn liner or a closure that leaks tea dust. Loose jute fibres, printing odour or liner odour can compromise the packed product. A sample that closes neatly by hand may bunch or snag on the filling line.
Approve the complete sack with its liner, printing and closure before production. Keep a sealed reference sample and written acceptance criteria. On arrival, isolate sacks with dampness, unusual odour or damaged liners while the affected batch is investigated.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on bulk tea sacks from China?
New jute sacks pay 4%, woven cotton and woven polypropylene strip sacks 6%, and knitted polypropylene strip sacks 12%. Used jute sacks pay 2%. Qualifying lined bulk containers have a conditional suspension to 0.00 %.
What should I specify for a bulk tea sack?
Specify fabric composition, weave, fabric weight, filled dimensions, intended fill weight, seams, liner material and closure. Approve a finished sample using your tea and filling equipment.
Do tea-sack liners need food-contact evidence?
Packaging used to pack tea must be suitable for food use. Ask for evidence covering the actual liner material and intended contact conditions, rather than relying on a general food-grade description.
How do I check whether sacks taint the tea?
Agree a packed-tea trial using the intended sack, liner, closure and storage conditions. Compare aroma and taste with a control sample, and investigate unusual odour before releasing the batch.