Sourcing continuous fibreglass yarn from China

Yarn duty and specified-product suspensions

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 7019 covers glass fibres and their articles. This guide concerns continuous filament yarn. The table includes adjacent slivers, cords and rovings to help distinguish product forms; these are not interchangeable yarn descriptions. See the wider glass fibre guide for fabrics, mats and glass wool.

The listed yarn lines carry 6% ordinary duty for goods from China. The specified high-strength and E-glass yarn lines have zero-duty suspensions, excluding mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing them. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure is recorded for these selected lines. The comparison roving line carries 7% ordinary duty with a narrowly specified suspension.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches import and export waste controls to the selected yarn and sliver lines. Waste shipment controls apply only when the material is waste. For goods from China, confirm any waste classification and shipment requirements with your customs broker before dispatch. Confirm the commodity code against the full product description, including suspension tolerances.

Specify the yarn and its sizing

Write down glass composition, linear density, filament diameter, twist direction and level, ply construction, sizing chemistry and intended weaving or resin process. Agree bobbin dimensions, winding direction, usable yarn weight and how batches will be identified. Ask for a batch certificate and an approved sample wound on the production bobbin.

For reinforcement, check sizing compatibility with the resin maker's advice. For weaving, trial unwinding, tension and yarn abrasion on your own equipment. Request handling advice and information on sizings and coatings before buying stock for resale.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: An illustrative trial batch of continuous filament E-glass yarn on bobbins; values illustrate the ordinary duty before any suspension under 7019 13 00 30, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £2,400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £11,400. Duty at 6% is £684. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,084, so it is £2,416.80. Import taxes total £3,100.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £684 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: compare bobbin labels, glass composition, yarn construction and batch certificates with the order.

Yarn properties: check linear density, sizing content, moisture and agreed breaking strength against the specification.

Unwinding: trial sampled bobbins for snagging, loose loops, excessive fuzz and inconsistent tension.

Packing: inspect for crushed bobbins, damp wrapping, contamination and mixed batches; record arrival defects using the inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A matching yarn count does not prove matching sizing or twist. Unsuitable sizing can impair resin wet-out, while damaged winding and broken filaments can interrupt weaving. Compare production samples with the approved sample and keep rejected bobbins separate while the supplier investigates.

A supplier may describe rovings as yarn or claim a suspension without evidence that the product meets its description. Obtain the composition and measured properties before accepting a code. Keep customs classification separate from performance acceptance.

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.