Sourcing nylon coil zip chain from China

UK duty on continuous coil zip chain

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 6 November 2026, heading 9607 covers slide fasteners and their parts. All supplied lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls.

Continuous chain supplied without sliders or stops should be assessed against the other-parts line, 9607 20 90 00. Finished non-metal slide fasteners have a separate line. The table includes neighbouring classifications for comparison, rather than treating metal-tooth zips as nylon coil chain. Confirm the commodity code using the actual sample and supply condition.

Specify whether sliders and stops are included or ordered separately. See the replacement zip sliders guide for related products within the wider heading.

Specify the chain and matching slider

Specify coil material rather than relying on the trade name, tape fibre, closed-chain width, tape width, coil orientation, colour reference and acceptable dimensional variation. State whether the chain is supplied engaged, its roll length, permitted joins and how joins must be marked.

Approve the chain with the actual slider, sewing process and finished fabric. Agree opening resistance, transverse strength, colour transfer and washing checks appropriate to the intended use. For consumer products, importers and sellers are responsible for safety. REACH restrictions can limit substances in articles; ask for material and finish evidence relevant to the tape, coil and any supplied metal parts.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20,000 metres of continuous nylon coil zip chain under 9607 20 90 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,700. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,700, so it is £740. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Dimensions and material: compare tape and closed-chain widths with the approved sample, check coil spacing and attachment stitching, and reconcile material declarations with the order.

Slider fit: run the approved slider along sampled lengths, including marked joins, and check snagging, separation and engagement after repeated opening.

Colour and sewing: compare dye lots, check rubbing onto light fabric, and sew samples into the intended material to assess puckering and tape distortion.

Rolls and packing: measure sampled roll lengths, inspect inner layers, identify joins and check batch labels, moisture protection and crushed coils. Agree sampling through the quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A nominal chain size does not guarantee slider compatibility. Different coil profiles can jam or separate under load. Loose attachment stitching lets the coil lift from the tape, while uneven dyeing creates visible differences across garments or bags.

Short rolls, concealed joins and tightly wound or crushed coils disrupt cutting and assembly. Hold an approved chain-and-slider sample and inspect production rolls before shipment. If metal sliders will contact skin directly and for prolonged periods, confirm with HSE or a compliance adviser whether a UK REACH nickel-release restriction applies before relying on the site's metal trims guide.

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.