Sourcing caravan awnings from China

A flat duty across the relevant awning lines

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, the relevant heading 6306 awning and tent lines carried 12% duty for goods from China. The heading covers textile awnings, tarpaulins, tents and other camping articles. The table includes awning lines and alternative tent lines for enclosed caravan annexes, subject to classification.

The selected lines record no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no attached import controls. The tent lines record an autonomous suspension at 0.00 %, restricted to tents for setting up field hospitals, including temporary canopies. This is not a general suspension for caravan awnings.

Give your customs broker the fabric composition, photographs, enclosure design and details of the supplied frame to confirm the commodity code. See the wider textile awnings guide. The hypothetical order values are illustrative; the import duty and VAT guide explains the calculation.

Specify caravan rail fit and the erected awning

Specify whether the product is a canopy, porch awning, full awning or enclosed annex. Record the caravan models or measured attachment profile, rail bead diameter, attachment length, mounting height, projection and door clearance. Approve the fit on a representative caravan or matching rail fixture, rather than judging an unattached fabric sample.

Agree fibre composition, fabric weight, coating, seam sealing, window material, ventilation and removable panels. For pole frames, specify tube material, joints and locking parts. For inflatable designs, agree air tube construction, valves, pump connection and repair parts. Set acceptance criteria for water penetration, attachment strength and inflation retention.

Consumer awnings supplied in Great Britain must be safe. Review frame collapse, sharp pole ends and attachment failure. Agree assembly, anchoring, ventilation, weather precautions and drying instructions with the supplier, and check that they describe the actual supplied design.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 30 synthetic-fibre caravan awnings, illustrative only under 6306 12 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

Rail fit: erect a bulk-production sample on the agreed rail fixture; check bead retention, attachment length, door clearance and sealing against the caravan wall.

Fabric and seams: compare with the retained sample, inspect coating and seam tape, then check water penetration at roof seams, windows and attachment points.

Frame and inflation: assemble poles and joints, check locking parts and sharp edges; inflate air tubes and inspect valves, leakage and repair access.

Contents and packing: check pegs, guy lines, storm straps and the agreed pump or repair kit; inspect instructions, identification and dry packing through the inspection process.

What goes wrong

A rail bead can fit the sample fixture but bind or pull out on the intended caravan. An incorrect mounting height leaves the roof slack or the skirt above the ground, while panel placement can obstruct a door. Keep the approved fit record and require approval before changing attachment components or panel dimensions.

Leakage can occur at needle holes, poorly bonded seam tape and window seams. Air tubes can lose pressure at valves or be damaged during assembly; pole joints can jam or loosen. Test the erected production sample, inspect beneath the coating and keep replacement components matched to the supplied version.

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.