Sourcing cotton bucket hats from China
Cotton bucket hats from China normally carry 2% UK import duty under 6505 00 90 90, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded. The duty range for these cotton styles is therefore 2% throughout. Fibre composition labels are required; agree fit, brim shape and decoration on a physical sample. Cambridge China Bridge sources cotton bucket hats.
Duty on cotton bucket hats
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6505 covers knitted or crocheted headgear and hats made up from textile fabric, whether lined or trimmed. Sewn cotton bucket hats normally fall under 6505 00 90 90 at 2% duty from China. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure is recorded. The suspension listed against this code applies only to disposable hair nets, not bucket hats. The table shows cotton styles sharing the same tariff line.
The tariff attaches CITES, cat and dog fur, and seal-product import controls. Cat and dog fur and products made from it are banned. Under the indigenous traditional-hunt exemption, seal products need a seal catch attestation. CITES-listed species require permits where listed in the relevant annexes. For a shipment from China, give the broker the complete materials and trim list and confirm the applicable control requirements before dispatch.
Confirm the commodity code using the hat's construction, fabric and trims. See the wider caps and hats guide for other headwear and the import duty and VAT guide for the calculation.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain cotton bucket hats | 6505 00 90 90 | 2% | None |
Specify the crown, brim and cotton fabric
Specify cotton fibre composition, weave, fabric weight, finish, lining and sweatband separately. Agree finished head circumference, crown height, brim width and downward angle, with measurement points and tolerances. For reversible hats, approve the fit and appearance with either face outside. Send logo artwork with placement and colours, and approve a decorated physical sample.
Fibre composition must appear on the label. Agree a durable, legible inside label and care information that matches the approved fabric and finish. Businesses importing or selling consumer products are responsible for their safety. Review chin cords, toggles, eyelets and attached badges for the intended wearer, especially on children's styles.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 5,000 cotton bucket hats, illustrative order under 6505 00 90 90, invoiced at £7,500 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £8,400. Duty at 2% is £168. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £8,568, so it is £1,713.60. Import taxes total £1,881.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £168 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit and shape: measure finished head circumference, crown height and brim width against the approved sample and specification. Check the brim hangs evenly and the sweatband does not tighten the fit.
Fabric and colour: compare shell, lining and sweatband with approved swatches. Check colour transfer from rubbing and perspiration, then wash samples using the agreed care instructions and assess shrinkage and brim distortion.
Decoration and seams: check logo placement, embroidery puckering, print coverage, seam strength, exposed backing and loose threads. Examine eyelets and badges for rough edges and insecure attachment.
Labels and packing: match fibre labels, sizes and colour quantities to the order. Check reversible labels do not spoil either face, hats arrive dry, and carton packing has not creased the brims. Set these checks out in the inspection brief.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A bucket hat can match the artwork yet fit poorly because the sweatband narrows the opening or the crown is too shallow. Uneven brim stitching makes the brim ripple; dense embroidery puckers light cotton. Washing can shrink the shell differently from the lining, while dark sweatbands can transfer colour.
Keep an approved physical sample showing the finished fit and decoration. Check samples from each colour and size before packing, and repeat the agreed wash and colour-transfer checks on production fabric. Record deviations against the specification before accepting the shipment.
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 cotton bucket hats from China?
Normally 2% under 6505 00 90 90, read on 30 September 2026. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure is recorded. The disposable hair-net suspension does not cover bucket hats.
Do cotton bucket hats need fibre labels?
Yes. Textile labels must show fibre content. Check the label against the agreed shell, lining and sweatband materials rather than relying on the supplier's product name.
What should I specify for a reversible bucket hat?
Specify each face's fabric and colour, finished head circumference, crown height, brim dimensions, seam finish and label position. Approve a sample worn with either face outside.
How do I check whether the brim will keep its shape?
Compare production samples with the approved hat before and after washing under the agreed care instructions. Check brim rippling, seam distortion and creases after unpacking.