Sourcing Cashmere Blankets from China
Cashmere blankets from China carry a flat 12% UK duty across the fine-animal-hair blanket lines, with no recorded trade remedies or suspensions. Fibre composition must be labelled; verify cashmere content by testing rather than softness alone. Cambridge China Bridge sources cashmere blankets.
UK duty on cashmere blankets
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6301 covers blankets and travelling rugs. The wool or fine-animal-hair blanket lines carry 12% duty for goods from China, whether knitted, crocheted, hand-made or otherwise woven. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duties and no suspensions on these lines.
The tariff attaches CITES import and export controls to these fine-animal-hair lines. Confirm the animal species with the supplier and ask your customs broker to establish whether CITES documentation applies to the actual material. Where listed material is involved, confirm the requirements for the China-to-Great-Britain shipment before ordering; the tariff flag alone does not establish that every cashmere blanket needs a permit.
Confirm the commodity code using the finished blanket's composition and construction. The other-textile row is a possible classification to investigate for blends, rather than a substitute code for pure cashmere. See the blankets and throws guide for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cashmere blankets, knitted or crocheted | 6301 20 10 00 | 12% | None |
| Cashmere blankets, hand-made, other than knitted or crocheted | 6301 20 90 10 | 12% | None |
| Cashmere blankets, other, including machine-woven blankets | 6301 20 90 90 | 12% | None |
| Other textile blankets containing cashmere, subject to classification | 6301 90 90 99 | 12% | None |
Specify cashmere content, construction and finish
Write down the cashmere content and every other fibre in a blend, finished dimensions, fabric weight, woven or knitted construction, colour, edge finish and fringe design. Agree whether dimensions include the fringe. Keep an approved physical sample for handle, drape and shade, and require composition testing on production material.
The fibre composition must be labelled; confirm the applicable label durability and legibility requirements with the relevant authority. Match the label to the tested composition. Agree care instructions and a cleaning trial suitable for the intended care method, then assess shrinkage, pilling, colour transfer and changes in softness. Arrange testing and certification around the actual construction and claims.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 12 machine-woven cashmere blankets under 6301 20 90 90, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,800. Duty at 12% is £456. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,256, so it is £851.20. Import taxes total £1,307.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £456 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Composition and labels: compare production-material test results with the order and fibre label; do not accept softness as proof of cashmere content.
Dimensions and weight: measure the blanket body and fringe separately, weigh samples consistently and check for uneven weaving, holes or distorted knitted edges.
Cleaning and surface: follow the agreed care method and compare dimensions, pilling, shedding, shade and handle with the approved sample.
Edges and packing: check fringe attachment, hems and loose yarns; on arrival, open cartons for dampness, odour and permanent compression creases. Use quality inspection to record defects against the agreed specification.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A soft finish can disguise a different fibre blend, so a convincing sample does not prove the bulk order's composition. Production blankets may also differ in weight or shade. Keep the approved sample and compare it with tested production material before accepting the shipment.
Loose fringes, pilling and shrinkage undermine the finished product even when the composition is correct. Aggressive finishing or unsuitable cleaning can change the handle. Agree acceptance criteria before production and check that packing protects the fabric without leaving persistent creases.
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 cashmere blankets from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 12% for the wool or fine-animal-hair blanket lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duties and no suspensions.
Do cashmere blankets need a fibre label?
Yes. Fibre composition must be labelled. Use a durable, legible label and check its cashmere and other fibre claims against production-material testing.
Does the CITES tariff flag mean every cashmere blanket needs a permit?
The flag alone does not settle the requirement. Confirm the animal species and ask your customs broker whether CITES documentation applies to the actual material imported from China.
How do I check whether a blanket really contains cashmere?
Arrange fibre identification and composition testing on production material, then compare the results with the order and label. Handle and softness alone cannot verify the claim.