Sourcing cotton piqué knitted fabric from China

Cotton piqué fabric: 8% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6006 covers other knitted or crocheted fabrics. Its cotton lines distinguish unbleached or bleached, dyed, differently coloured yarns and printed fabric. Cotton piqué is the textured knitted fabric used for polo shirts; this guide covers fabric rolls rather than finished shirts.

The listed cotton lines carry 8% duty for goods from China. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or import control is recorded against these cotton lines. Controls attached to other fibre lines should not be applied to cotton piqué simply because they share the heading.

Confirm the commodity code from fibre composition, knitting construction, width and finishing. Knits over 30 cm wide containing 5% or more elastane fall under heading 6004 rather than these lines. See the cotton single jersey guide for wider heading context.

Specify the piqué texture and finished dimensions

Attach an approved swatch showing the face and reverse, the size and definition of the raised texture, and the required handle. State cotton composition, yarn specification, finished mass per square metre, usable width, tubular or open-width delivery, colour reference and finishing. Agree acceptable shrinkage and twisting after the intended wash before approving bulk production.

Fabric sold to consumers by the metre must carry fibre composition; confirm the fibre names to use with Trading Standards. For garment production, verify the mill's composition before using it on garment labels. Confirm with HSE which UK REACH restrictions on azo dyes and aromatic amines apply to textiles in prolonged skin contact; ask for relevant test evidence for dyed or printed fabric intended for polo shirts.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 8,000 metres of dyed cotton piqué knitted fabric in rolls under 6006 22 00 00, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £13,200. Duty at 8% is £1,056. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £14,256, so it is £2,851.20. Import taxes total £3,907.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,056 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Texture and surface: compare the raised piqué pattern with the approved swatch and inspect for flattened areas, needle lines, holes and horizontal barré stripes.

Weight and width: measure finished mass per square metre and usable width across sampled rolls; check roll identification and delivered length against the packing list.

Wash stability: wash samples using the agreed care conditions, measure shrinkage and twisting, and compare texture and handle before and after washing.

Colour and wear: compare rolls and edge-to-centre shade with the approved colour sample; test washing and rubbing fastness, pilling and bursting strength. Record findings using the inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A sample may have a clear raised texture while bulk fabric arrives flatter, lighter or narrower. Shrinkage changes garment dimensions, twisting pulls side seams out of line, and shade differences leave mismatched panels. Dark colours can transfer during rubbing, while the raised surface can pill in wear.

Keep an approved swatch and colour sample, separate dye lots, and test bulk rolls before cutting. Quarantine damp or stained rolls on arrival and record roll references when reporting defects. Agree how non-conforming rolls will be handled before 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.