Sourcing cotton voile fabric from China
Cotton voile fabric from China carries 8% UK duty across the ordinary plain-weave lines shown here. Heading 5208 covers woven fabric containing at least 85% cotton and weighing no more than 200 g/m². Textile labels must show fibre content. Cambridge China Bridge sources cotton voile fabric.
Cotton voile duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 5208 covers woven fabrics containing 85% or more cotton by weight and weighing not more than 200 g/m². The table selects ordinary plain-weave voile weighing not more than 100 g/m². Finish distinguishes unbleached, bleached, dyed, yarn-dyed and printed fabric.
The selected lines all carry 8% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control recorded. Elsewhere in the heading, unbleached fabric for manufacturing bandages, dressings and medical gauzes has a 4.00 % suspension. That medical-use line is separate from the ordinary voile lines selected here.
Confirm the commodity code using measured fibre content, weave, weight and finish rather than the supplier's name for the fabric. For wider heading coverage, see cotton poplin fabric.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unbleached plain-weave voile, not more than 100 g/m², non-medical | 5208 11 90 00 | 8% | None |
| Bleached plain-weave voile, not more than 100 g/m², non-medical | 5208 21 90 00 | 8% | None |
| Dyed plain-weave voile, not more than 100 g/m² | 5208 31 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Yarn-dyed plain-weave voile, not more than 100 g/m² | 5208 41 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Printed plain-weave voile, not more than 100 g/m², not handloom or batik | 5208 51 00 99 | 8% | None |
Specify voile construction and transparency
Specify cotton content, yarn count and twist, plain-weave construction, thread density, weight, usable width and finish. Approve a sample for transparency, drape and handle against the intended garment or curtain. Agree washing conditions and acceptable shrinkage before approving bulk fabric.
For sales in Great Britain, textile labels must show fibre content. For dyed voile intended for direct and prolonged skin contact, ask for restricted azo dye test reports for each colourway under UK REACH, as described in the site's cotton-blend fabric guide. Keep the approved sample and reports tied to the supplied batch.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 100 metres of dyed cotton voile under 5208 31 00 00, invoiced at £200 free on board, with £100 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £300. Duty at 8% is £24. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £324, so it is £64.80. Import taxes total £88.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £24 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Construction: check fibre content, weight, thread density and usable width against the approved specification.
Appearance: inspect rolls against a light source for missing yarns, holes, slubs, oil marks and uneven transparency.
Performance: test shrinkage, colour fastness and tear resistance against the agreed requirements; compare shade across the width and between rolls.
Roll identity: check roll length, batch labels and packing-list entries on arrival; keep different dye lots identifiable.
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What goes wrong
A sample can feel soft while the bulk voile has fewer yarns, uneven openness or a different finish. Washing can change its handle and dimensions. Shade differences become conspicuous when adjacent curtain panels or garment pieces are cut from different rolls.
Approve washed samples as well as fresh samples, retain shade references by dye lot and inspect bulk rolls before cutting. Use the quality inspection guide to agree the checks and how faults will be recorded.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on cotton voile from China?
The ordinary voile lines selected here carry 8% duty for goods from China. No trade remedy, suspension or attached import control is recorded for these lines.
Does cotton voile need a fibre label?
For sales in Great Britain, textile labels must show fibre content. Check that the declared composition matches the supplied fabric.
Is all cotton voile classified under the same code?
No. Classification depends on fibre content, weave, weight and finish. The table covers lightweight plain-weave voile; a heavier or blended fabric needs its own classification check.
What should I check before cutting cotton voile?
Check usable width, roll length, shade, weaving faults and transparency. Test washed samples for shrinkage and colour fastness before releasing rolls for cutting.