Sourcing chenille blankets from China
Chenille blankets from China attract 6% to 12% UK duty, depending on fibre and construction. Textile labels must show fibre content; chenille describes the yarn style rather than the fibre. Specify pile retention, finished size and washing performance. Cambridge China Bridge sources chenille blankets.
Duty by fibre and construction
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6301 covers blankets and travelling rugs. This guide concerns non-electric chenille blankets. Chenille describes the yarn style, so establish the actual fibre composition and whether the blanket is knitted, crocheted or woven. See the blankets and throws guide for the wider heading.
For goods from China, synthetic-fibre chenille blankets carry 12% duty; knitted or crocheted cotton blankets carry 12%, while woven cotton blankets carry 6%. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or tariff suspension. The selected cotton and synthetic-fibre lines have no attached import controls. Some wool, animal-hair and other-material lines attach CITES controls: CITES specimens need an import permit. Confirm applicability and the required documents with your customs broker before ordering.
Give your broker the fibre composition, construction details and a sample when confirming the commodity code. A supplier's description of 'chenille' alone is insufficient to choose the line. Check the import duty and VAT guide when calculating the landed cost.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic-fibre chenille blankets, knitted or crocheted | 6301 40 10 00 | 12% | None |
| Synthetic-fibre chenille blankets, woven, other than hand-made | 6301 40 90 99 | 12% | None |
| Cotton chenille blankets, knitted or crocheted | 6301 30 10 00 | 12% | None |
| Cotton chenille blankets, woven, other than hand-made | 6301 30 90 90 | 6% | None |
Specify chenille pile and washing performance
Agree fibre composition, finished dimensions, blanket weight, yarn thickness, knit or weave structure, pile appearance and edge finish. Specify whether dimensions apply before or after washing. Retain a physical sample showing the agreed softness, drape and pile density; photographs alone will not establish these.
Agree washing and drying conditions, then check shedding, pilling, shrinkage and colour transfer on production samples. For chunky knitted blankets, examine gaps between stitches and how easily yarn catches or pulls out. For woven versions, check pile loss along folds and rubbing areas. Agree how compressed blankets should recover after unpacking.
Textile labels in Great Britain must show fibre content. Use the actual fibre names rather than 'chenille' alone and compare the label with composition evidence. Consumer blankets supplied in Great Britain must be safe under general product safety rules. Assess loose yarn, detachable trims and the intended use before sale.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 600 knitted polyester chenille blankets; illustrative order, not a quotation under 6301 40 10 00, invoiced at £7,500 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £8,400. Duty at 12% is £1,008. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,408, so it is £1,881.60. Import taxes total £2,889.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,008 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Pile and yarn: compare pile coverage, yarn thickness, shedding and snagging with the approved sample; look for bare patches and pulled stitches.
Size and washing: measure finished and washed samples; check shrinkage, distortion, pilling and colour transfer using the agreed laundering process.
Edges and labels: check bound edges, stitching, fringe attachment and fibre labels; compare composition evidence with the production fabric.
Packing and arrival: open cartons to check dampness, odour, shade differences and crushed pile; allow compressed samples to recover before comparing them at inspection.
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What goes wrong
A sample can feel soft while bulk blankets shed heavily or develop thin patches after washing. Loose chunky stitches snag, unsecured yarn ends unravel, and weak fringes detach. Uneven pile direction can also make matching colours look different, so compare blankets laid in the same direction.
Do not accept softness as the only approval criterion. Record the sample's construction, weight and washing results, then compare production against them. Check recovery after compression before approving packing, and investigate persistent dampness or odour before releasing arrival stock.
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 chenille blankets from China?
Synthetic-fibre and knitted cotton blankets carry 12% duty; woven cotton blankets carry 6%. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Is chenille a fibre name for the label?
Chenille describes the yarn style. The textile label must show the actual fibre content, such as polyester or cotton, supported by composition evidence.
How do I check whether chenille blankets shed?
Wash and dry production samples using the agreed care process. Compare lint, bare patches and pilling with the approved sample, and check yarn retention by rubbing and handling.
What should I check when vacuum-packed chenille blankets arrive?
Open sampled cartons, check for dampness and odour, then let blankets recover before measuring and comparing pile appearance. Inspect pulled stitches, compressed patches and shade differences.