Sourcing cotton terry bath towels from China
Cotton terry bath towels from China carry 12% UK import duty across the knitted and woven lines, with no trade remedy recorded in the supplied tariff snapshot. Fibre content must be labelled, and consumer towels must be safe. Specify absorbency and wash performance before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources cotton terry bath towels.
12% duty on cotton terry bath towels
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6302 covers bed linen, table linen, toilet linen and kitchen linen. Cotton terry bath towels fall within its terry toilet-linen lines: knitted or crocheted towels under 6302 60 00 10, and woven towels under 6302 60 00 90. For bath mats, see our cotton terry bath mat sourcing guide. For hand towels, see our cotton hand towel sourcing guide.
Both cotton terry lines carry 12% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff snapshot records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for these lines. The non-terry cotton entries in the table are classification comparisons, rather than alternative codes for terry towels.
Confirm the fabric construction and fibre composition before choosing the commodity code. For the wider linen range, see mattresses, pillows and bedding. For hotel bed linen, see our cotton hotel pillowcase sourcing guide. For hammam towels, see our hammam towel sourcing guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton terry bath towels, knitted or crocheted | 6302 60 00 10 | 12% | None |
| Cotton terry bath towels, woven | 6302 60 00 90 | 12% | None |
| Comparison: non-terry cotton toilet linen, hand-printed batik | 6302 91 00 10 | 12% | None |
| Comparison: other non-terry cotton toilet linen | 6302 91 00 90 | 12% | None |
Specify the pile, absorbency and wash performance
Specify finished dimensions, fabric mass per unit area, towel weight, yarn construction, pile height, border design and hem construction. State whether decorative borders and embroidery use different fibres. Keep an approved sample that fixes the colour, feel and construction.
Agree how absorbency, lint shedding, shrinkage and colour transfer will be checked after washing and drying under the proposed care instructions. Compare washed samples as well as new towels: a soft finish can conceal poor water uptake.
Textile labels must show fibre content. Businesses importing or selling consumer towels are responsible for their safety. Agree label wording before production and check it against the actual materials.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 600 woven cotton terry bath towels, illustrative only 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
Construction: measure dimensions and towel weight against the specification; check pile coverage, bare patches, pulled loops, borders and hem stitching.
Wash performance: compare absorbency, lint shedding, colour transfer and dimensional change with the approved sample after the agreed wash and drying process.
Labels: check fibre content against the specification and supporting material evidence; compare care instructions and product descriptions with the approved artwork.
Arrival condition: open cartons from different parts of the delivery and check for dampness, musty odours, staining, shade variation and incorrect towel assortments.
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What goes wrong
Towels can feel soft in the showroom yet absorb poorly after delivery. Heavy finishing, uneven pile and changes in yarn construction can alter performance. Borders may shrink differently from the terry body, leaving the towel puckered; loose loops snag and hems unravel.
Keep the approved construction and washed sample with the purchase specification. Record failed checks by colour and production batch, and agree corrective action before releasing the affected stock. Use quality inspection explained to plan the checks.
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 terry bath towels from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot shows 12% for both knitted or crocheted and woven cotton terry towels, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded.
Which commodity code applies to woven cotton terry bath towels?
6302 60 00 90 is the woven cotton terry line. Knitted or crocheted cotton terry towels use 6302 60 00 10. Confirm construction and composition before declaring.
Do cotton bath towels need fibre labels?
Yes. Textile labels must show fibre content. Check that the label matches the towel's actual materials, including any different fibres used in its decoration.
How do I check whether bath towels absorb properly?
Compare bulk samples with the approved towel using the same water uptake check, before and after the agreed washing and drying process. Also inspect lint shedding and colour transfer.