Sourcing cotton velveteen fabric from China
Cotton velveteen fabric from China carries 8% UK import duty across the relevant cotton lines, with no anti-dumping duty recorded. Fabric sold to consumers needs fibre composition information; for domestic upholstery use, confirm applicable fire safety requirements with the relevant authority. Cambridge China Bridge sources cotton velveteen fabric.
Cotton velveteen duty: 8%
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 November 2026, heading 5801 covers woven pile fabrics and chenille fabrics. For finished cotton velveteen, check the other cotton weft pile lines. The table also includes uncut weft pile fabric for buyers importing material before pile cutting; those rows describe unfinished fabric.
The relevant cotton lines carry 8% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control on these lines. This is a tariff snapshot, so recheck the applicable measures before shipment.
Give your broker the fibre composition, weave construction, cut or uncut condition and whether the fabric is handloom-made. Confirm the commodity code from the actual goods rather than the supplier's description. The velvet and corduroy guide covers the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton other weft pile fabrics, including velveteen, other | 5801 23 00 90 | 8% | None |
| Cotton other weft pile fabrics, including velveteen, handloom-made | 5801 23 00 10 | 8% | None |
| Cotton uncut weft pile fabric, other, before pile cutting | 5801 21 00 90 | 8% | None |
| Cotton uncut weft pile fabric, handloom-made, before pile cutting | 5801 21 00 10 | 8% | None |
Specify the velveteen pile and intended use
Specify fibre composition, usable width, weight per square metre, pile height, pile density, shade, finish and roll length. Ask the factory to identify the ground and pile yarns, and retain an approved sample showing the required handle and pile direction. Agree shrinkage, rubbing colour fastness and pile-loss acceptance criteria before production.
Textile labels must show fibre content. Fabric sold by the metre to consumers needs fibre composition information. For fabric intended for domestic upholstered furniture, confirm with the relevant authority which fire safety requirements apply, including any cigarette and match resistance tests and whether a fire-resistant interliner is an acceptable option for the intended permanent cover. Agree testing and certification for the intended use.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 4,000 metres of finished cotton velveteen; FOB and freight in whole pounds under 5801 23 00 90, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £12,600. Duty at 8% is £1,008. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £13,608, so it is £2,721.60. Import taxes total £3,729.60; 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: check fibre composition evidence, usable width, fabric weight and pile height against the approved specification.
Shade: compare rolls with the pile facing the same direction; inspect the face for dye streaks, crush marks and bald patches.
Performance: check dry and wet rubbing, pile shedding and shrinkage after the agreed cleaning method.
Packing and records: check roll identification, shade lots, pile-direction marks and protection from compression and moisture; match any upholstery test report to the supplied fabric and finish.
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What goes wrong
Reversing the pile direction can make matching panels look different in colour. Mixed shade lots, uneven pile cutting and tightly compressed packing can leave visible differences that appear only when the fabric is spread out. Inspect rolls before cutting and keep shade lots separate.
A soft sample can conceal weak pile anchorage, colour transfer or excessive shrinkage. For upholstery, a report for a different backing or finish does not establish the performance of the delivered fabric. Keep the approved sample and compare production material with it before dispatch.
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 velveteen from China?
The relevant cotton lines under heading 5801 carry 8% duty in the supplied tariff record, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded.
Which commodity code covers cotton velveteen?
Check 5801 23 00 90 for other cotton weft pile fabric, or 5801 23 00 10 if handloom-made. Confirm construction and condition with your broker; uncut fabric has separate lines.
Does cotton velveteen need upholstery fire testing?
For domestic upholstery, confirm the applicable fire safety requirements with the relevant authority, including any cigarette and match resistance tests. Ask whether a fire-resistant interliner is an acceptable option for the intended permanent cover.
How do I check cotton velveteen for shade differences?
Spread samples from different rolls with the pile pointing the same way. Compare shade lots and inspect for streaks, uneven pile cutting and compression marks before cutting.