Sourcing cotton hand towels from China
Cotton hand towels from China carry 12% UK duty across the relevant terry and non-terry lines in heading 6302. Textile labels must show fibre content for sale in Great Britain. Specify washed dimensions and check absorbency, lint shedding and hems against the approved sample. Cambridge China Bridge sources cotton hand towels.
Cotton hand-towel duty depends on construction
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6302 covers bed, table, toilet and kitchen linen. Cotton hand towels fall within the toilet-linen family. The relevant lines distinguish cotton terry fabrics from other cotton fabrics, with further distinctions for knitted or crocheted terry and hand-printed batik. See cotton terry bath towels for the wider heading context.
The supplied record shows 12% duty for goods from China on every cotton hand-towel line selected here. It lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for these lines. The heading-wide range includes lower rates for some other materials, which do not describe the cotton towels covered here.
Confirm the commodity code using the actual fibre composition, intended use and fabric construction. Give your customs broker a sample description identifying terry or non-terry fabric, woven or knitted construction, and any hand-printed batik treatment. Recheck classification if the factory changes the fabric.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woven cotton terry hand towels | 6302 60 00 90 | 12% | None |
| Knitted or crocheted cotton terry hand towels | 6302 60 00 10 | 12% | None |
| Non-terry cotton hand towels, other than hand-printed batik | 6302 91 00 90 | 12% | None |
| Non-terry cotton hand towels, hand-printed batik | 6302 91 00 10 | 12% | None |
Specify absorbency and dimensions after washing
Agree cotton composition, finished dimensions, fabric weight, terry loop length or non-terry weave, colour, border design and hem construction. State whether dimensions apply before or after laundering. Include hanging loops and embroidery in the approved sample, and retain both washed and unwashed samples for comparison with production.
Use the intended washing and drying process to agree acceptable shrinkage, absorbency, lint shedding and colour transfer. Compare how quickly the towel takes up water before and after washing. Check that borders and embroidery do not pull the towel out of shape.
For sale in Great Britain, textile labels must show fibre content, and consumer products must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Compare label wording with composition evidence for the production fabric. Keep care instructions consistent with the laundering checks completed on that fabric.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 5,000 woven cotton terry hand towels; illustrative order, not a quotation under 6302 60 00 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 12% is £1,008. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,408, so it is £1,881.60. Import taxes total £2,889.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,008 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fabric and absorbency: compare weight, loop coverage, handle and water uptake with the approved sample; inspect thin patches, pulled loops and lint shedding.
Size and laundering: measure before and after the agreed wash and drying process; check shrinkage, twisted edges and distorted borders.
Colour and sewing: compare shades across cartons; check colour transfer, skipped stitches, opening hems, hanging-loop attachment and embroidery puckering.
Labels and arrival: compare fibre information with the specification; open cartons to check quantities, dampness, mould and odour. Record findings through quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A soft sample can absorb water poorly because its finish differs from the production finish. Shorter or less dense terry loops can leave bulk towels thinner than the approved sample. Test production towels before and after laundering rather than approving them by touch alone.
Decorative borders may shrink differently from the towel body, while hems twist, dark shades transfer colour or embroidery puckers. Damp packing can leave towels musty on arrival. Compare samples from different cartons and fabric lots, and record failures against the agreed specification before accepting a replacement.
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 hand towels from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 12% on the selected cotton terry and non-terry hand-towel lines. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control is listed.
Do cotton hand towels need fibre labels?
For sale in Great Britain, textile labels must show fibre content. Compare the label with composition evidence for the production fabric before approving it.
How do I check cotton hand-towel absorbency?
Compare water uptake with the approved sample before and after the intended laundering process. Check production towels as well as samples, alongside lint shedding and changes in handle.
How can I avoid hand towels shrinking out of shape?
Specify dimensions after the agreed washing and drying process. Check production samples for shrinkage, twisted hems, border distortion and embroidery puckering before shipment.