Sourcing caps and hats from China
Peaked caps, beanies and other textile hats from China pay 2% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. As textile products they need a fibre composition label, and branded caps are bought on embroidery, panel construction and closure, so the sample decides the order. Cambridge China Bridge sources promotional and own-label caps and hats.
Baseball caps, beanies and textile hats pay 2% UK duty from China. Embroidery, sizing, fibre labels and minimums for branded and retail headwear.
Duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, peaked caps and other hats and headgear knitted or made up from textile fabric carried 2% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. Protective headgear such as helmets is classified separately; see the cycle helmet guide.
Caps are light and nest well, so freight is a small share of the landed price, and decoration is a large one.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peaked caps, knitted or of textile fabric | 6505 00 30 00 | 2% | None |
| Other hats and headgear, knitted or of textile fabric | 6505 00 90 90 | 2% | None |
Fibre label
Article 14 of Regulation 1007/2011, as it applies in Great Britain, requires the fibre composition of textile products on a durable, easily legible label or marking. Put it on the inside label with the size and care information, and check it against the fabric at inspection.
Retail caps also carry a brand label and swing tag; the labels guide covers the options.
Construction and decoration
A cap is specified by its panels, crown height, brim shape, closure and fabric, and a logo by its method: flat or 3D embroidery, a woven or rubber patch, or print. Send the artwork with Pantone colours and stitch counts, approve a physical sample, and check embroidery density and placement on production pieces.
Sizing is usually one adjustable size for caps and stretch sizes for fitted styles and beanies; agree the head circumference range and the closure.
Minimums and timing
Minimums are usually per colour and logo, lower for stock blanks decorated to order and higher for custom fabrics. Event and promotional caps have fixed dates, so plan production and freight back from the date; the promotional merchandise guide covers the wider category.
Cambridge China Bridge sources promotional and own-label caps and hats, with samples, decoration and labels approved before production. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on baseball caps from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, peaked caps and other textile hats carried 2% duty from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
Do caps need a fibre label?
Yes. Article 14 of Regulation 1007/2011, as it applies in Great Britain, requires fibre composition on a durable, legible label.
How should a branded cap be specified?
By panels, crown height, brim, closure and fabric, and the logo by method, Pantone colours and stitch count, confirmed on a physical sample.
What sets the minimum order for caps?
Usually colour and logo; stock blanks decorated to order have lower minimums than custom fabrics.