Sourcing knitted immersion suits from China
Coated knitted immersion suits from China carry UK duty of 8% to 12% under heading 6113, depending on the fabric. For supply as marine equipment to UK ships, confirm the model's approval route, certification and conformity marking before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources coated knitted immersion suits.
UK duty on coated knitted immersion suits
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 6113 covers garments made up of knitted or crocheted fabrics of headings 5903, 5906 or 5907. For immersion suits within this heading, rubberised knitted fabric under 6113 00 10 00 carries 8% duty from China; other qualifying coated knitted fabric under 6113 00 90 00 carries 12%.
The supplied tariff records show no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls. The table repeats these commodity codes for different suit configurations; these are purchasing variants, rather than additional tariff subdivisions.
Confirm the commodity code using the complete fabric construction, coating material and finished suit specification. Do not classify from the name immersion suit alone. See the coated knitted drysuits guide for the wider product family.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubberised knitted immersion suits with integral gloves | 6113 00 10 00 | 8% | None |
| Other coated knitted immersion suits with integral boots | 6113 00 90 00 | 12% | None |
Specify the immersion suit and intended ship use
Specify the knitted backing, coating or rubber layer, insulation construction and finished measurements. State whether insulation is integral or supplied as a separate liner, whether a lifejacket is worn with the suit, and how the hood, gloves, boots and face seal are arranged. Approve the zip, seam sealing, reflective material, storage bag and donning instructions against a physical sample.
Marine equipment within the UK conformity-assessment scope must be approved by an approved body. UK-approved marine equipment has valid UK conformity assessment certification and carries the Red Ensign conformity mark. Before ordering for UK ship supply, ask the issuing body to confirm that the approval covers the exact model and configuration. For other intended uses, commission a separate assessment of the applicable approval route through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 rubberised knitted immersion suits; FOB value and freight are illustrative. under 6113 00 10 00, invoiced at £28,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £29,500. Duty at 8% is £2,360. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £31,860, so it is £6,372. Import taxes total £8,732; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £2,360 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Materials: compare the coating, knitted backing, insulation and reinforcement patches with the approved sample; inspect for thin areas, pinholes, cracking and delamination.
Seals and closures: inspect seam tape, bonded joints, zip ends, hood seals, gloves and foot attachments; arrange the agreed finished-suit leakage test and record the results.
Fit and use: check measurements across the ordered sizes and practise donning with the specified clothing and lifejacket arrangement; check reach, grip and access to the zip.
Identity and packing: match model identifiers, sizes, markings and supplied documents to the approved configuration; check that suits arrive dry, with closures protected and storage instructions included.
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What goes wrong
A waterproof fabric report can be supplied while the finished suit leaks at the zip ends, crotch or glove joints. Bulk production may use a different coating, liner or closure from the approval sample. Poor sizing can leave excessive folds around seals or make the suit difficult to put on over working clothing.
Compare production suits with the approved construction and resolve substitutions before shipment. On arrival, check for compressed insulation, damaged closures, damp packing and mismatched documents. Treat arrival inspection as a purchasing check; arrange separate verification of thermal performance and approval evidence.
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 coated knitted immersion suits from China?
Within heading 6113, rubberised knitted fabric suits under 6113 00 10 00 carry 8%; other qualifying coated knitted suits under 6113 00 90 00 carry 12%. No trade remedies are recorded.
What approval should I check for immersion suits supplied to UK ships?
Check the model's UK marine-equipment approval, supporting certification and Red Ensign marking. Ask the issuing body to confirm coverage of the ordered configuration.
Does a waterproof fabric report prove the whole immersion suit works?
Arrange finished-suit leakage checks and obtain thermal-performance evidence for the specified construction. Fabric testing alone does not examine the assembled zip, seals and joints.
What should I specify about the lifejacket?
State whether the suit is intended to be worn with a lifejacket and identify the proposed combination. Ask the approval body to confirm that the evidence covers that arrangement.