Sourcing camping tunnel tents from China
Camping tunnel tents from China carry a flat 12% UK duty across synthetic and other textile materials. The field-hospital suspension does not cover ordinary camping tents. Tents sold in Great Britain must be safe, and textile labels must show fibre content. Cambridge China Bridge sources camping tunnel tents.
A flat 12% for camping tunnel tents
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 6306 covers tents, tarpaulins, awnings, sails and camping goods. Camping tunnel tents fall within the tent lines: synthetic fibres under 6306 22 00 00 and other textile materials under 6306 29 00 00. The table shows fabric choices sharing these codes.
Both tent lines carry 12% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no attached import controls. Both lines have a 0.00 % autonomous suspension limited to tents for setting up field hospitals, including temporary canopies. Ordinary camping tunnel tents do not qualify.
Confirm the fabric composition and complete product description before selecting the commodity code. For related tent sourcing within this heading, see the canvas bell tents guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester camping tunnel tents | 6306 22 00 00 | 12% | None |
| Cotton camping tunnel tents | 6306 29 00 00 | 12% | None |
Specify the pitched tunnel tent
Agree the pitched dimensions, usable sleeping space, living area, door positions and packed size. State flysheet, inner and groundsheet materials separately, including coatings and seam sealing. Specify pole material, joints, sleeves, clips, guyline attachment points and pegs. For inflatable designs, agree air-beam construction, valves, pump connection and repair kit.
Consumer tents sold in Great Britain must be safe. Textile labels must show fibre content. Ask for safety and flammability test evidence matching the finished fabric and coating, and assess ventilation, exits and instructions on the assembled sample. Agree a rain-test method and acceptance criteria before production; a fabric waterproofing result alone does not demonstrate that the assembled tent stays dry.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: A trial wholesale order of polyester camping tunnel tents, illustrative under 6306 22 00 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 12% is £1,176. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,976, so it is £2,195.20. Import taxes total £3,371.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,176 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Pitching: assemble sampled tents using the supplied instructions; check pole fit, sleeve alignment, guyline anchors and access through doors with the inner fitted.
Water protection: inspect seam tape, stitching holes, groundsheet joins and zip storm flaps; perform the agreed rain test on pitched tents and check inside for leaks.
Ventilation and exits: check vents remain usable with rain covers positioned, mesh is securely stitched and door zips open from inside without snagging.
Packing and labels: reconcile poles, pegs, guylines and repair parts against the packing list; check fibre labels, instructions and dry packing. Use inspection to compare bulk goods with the approved sample.
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What goes wrong
Watch for leaking seam intersections, lifting seam tape, groundsheet punctures and storm flaps that expose zips. Incorrect pole lengths or misplaced sleeves distort the tunnel, leaving loose fabric and doors under tension. Check the complete pitched tent rather than approving separate fabric and pole samples.
Look for vents obstructed by rain covers, weak guyline patches, brittle pole joints and missing accessories. Damp packing can leave mould and odours on arrival. Repeat assembly and water checks on production samples, and record faults against the agreed specification before 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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on camping tunnel tents from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 12% for both synthetic-fibre tents and tents of other textile materials, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Can camping tunnel tents use the field-hospital duty suspension?
Ordinary camping tunnel tents do not qualify. The suspension is limited to tents for setting up field hospitals, including temporary canopies.
Do camping tunnel tents need fibre-content labels?
Yes. Textile labels must show fibre content. Specify the flysheet, inner and groundsheet materials separately and check the finished labels.
How do I check whether a tunnel tent leaks?
Agree a rain-test method, pitch the finished tent and inspect seams, groundsheet joins, doors and windows from inside. Check production samples as well as the approved sample.