Sourcing fishing bib trousers from China

UK duty on coated knitted fishing bib trousers

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 6113 covers garments made from knitted or crocheted fabrics of headings 5903, 5906 or 5907. For fishing bib trousers, confirm that the backing is knitted and identify the coating. Woven coated garments fall under a different heading, while a coating invisible to the naked eye usually means ordinary knitted garment classification.

Goods from China under 6113 00 10 00, made from rubberised knitted fabric of heading 5906, carry 8% duty. Other qualifying coated knitted garments under 6113 00 90 00 carry 12%. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. The table shows product variants sharing these commodity codes.

Confirm the commodity code using a fabric sample, backing construction and coating specification before shipment. Knee reinforcement or a fishing product name does not establish the code. See the coated knitted protective coveralls guide for the wider heading.

Specify the coating, bib fit and seam construction

Specify the knitted backing fibre, coating material, fabric weight, flexibility and surface finish. Define bib height, waist adjustment, inside leg, seat allowance and space for clothing underneath. Agree strap width, buckle design, knee and seat reinforcement, pocket placement and leg openings that fit over the intended boots. Record whether seams are welded or sewn and taped, then approve a finished sample.

For sale in Great Britain, the label must show fibre content. Agree care wording and waterproofness acceptance tests as purchasing specifications. Confirm with the relevant authority which UK REACH phthalate restrictions apply to plasticised PVC coatings and which PAH restrictions apply to rubber parts in direct and prolonged skin contact. Ask for relevant material test reports matching the production coating and components.

Settle whether the product is leisure rainwear or equipment intended to protect against workplace risks. If it falls within the PPE rules for Great Britain, conformity assessment is required according to its risk category. Importers must check that the manufacturer has completed the required assessment and provide their name and postal address on the equipment, with alternatives where this is not possible. Arrange a testing and certification review before approving protective claims.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 pairs of plastic-coated knitted fishing bib trousers; FOB value and freight are illustrative. under 6113 00 90 00, invoiced at £7,000 free on board, with £700 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,700. Duty at 12% is £924. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £8,624, so it is £1,724.80. Import taxes total £2,648.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £924 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Coating: compare production material with the approved sample; flex the knees and seat, checking cracking, peeling, pinholes and uneven coverage.

Seams: water-test the crotch, seat, pocket attachments and seam intersections using the agreed method; inspect weld continuity and tape adhesion after the agreed care treatment.

Fit and fittings: measure bib height, waist, seat and inside leg; check crouching movement, boot clearance, strap adjustment, buckle retention and reinforcement edges.

Labels and packing: compare fibre wording, size labels and care instructions with approved artwork; check carton size assortment and avoid packing damp garments. Use the inspection guide to organise shipment and arrival checks.

What goes wrong

Fabric can pass a waterproofness test while the finished trousers leak through the crotch or pocket stitching. Poorly bonded tape lifts when the wearer bends, reinforcement edges peel, and a stiff coating restricts crouching. Straps can slip through adjusters even when the buckles remain closed.

Keep sealed fabric and garment samples, and record the seam method and care treatment in the order. Test production garments rather than relying on a fabric report alone. Check size assortments on arrival and resolve coating substitutions or protective claims unsupported by matching documents before accepting the batch.

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.