Sourcing dreadlock hair extensions from China
Dreadlock hair extensions from China carry 2% UK duty across the supplied material lines. Consumer products sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Specify the fibre, finished length, thickness and attachment before approving samples. Cambridge China Bridge sources dreadlock hair extensions.
UK duty and dreadlock extension materials
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6704 covers wigs, hairpieces and similar articles of human or animal hair or textile materials. Finished synthetic dreadlock extensions fall within other synthetic articles; human-hair extensions have their own material line. The supplied lines all carry 2% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions.
The other-material line, 6704 90 00 00, carries CITES and cat and dog fur import and export controls. For animal-fibre extensions from China, identify the species and ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable CITES documents before ordering. Official guidance requires permits for species in the specified CITES annexes. Imports and exports of cat and dog fur, including products made from it, are banned.
Confirm the commodity code from the actual fibre and finished construction. The table shows extension variants sharing material codes, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. For the wider heading, see wigs, hair extensions and false lashes.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic dreadlock extensions with attachment loops | 6704 19 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Human-hair dreadlock extensions with loose attachment ends | 6704 20 00 00 | 2% | None |
Fibre, attachment ends and locked texture
Specify human hair or the exact synthetic fibre, finished length, diameter, weight, colour and surface texture. Distinguish looped extensions, folded extensions and loose ends intended for crocheting into existing hair. Agree whether the tips are blunt or tapered, how much loose hair remains at the attachment end, and how length is measured.
Approve physical samples for softness, flexibility, loop opening and the firmness of the locked section. Wash and dry samples using the proposed care method, then compare shedding, colour transfer, odour and shape. For synthetic extensions advertised as heat-friendly, agree the claimed heat resistance and test it before sale. Consumer products must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use in Great Britain.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 2,000 synthetic dreadlock extensions; illustrative whole-pound FOB value and freight under 6704 19 00 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £1,120 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,120. Duty at 2% is £82.40. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,202.40, so it is £840.48. Import taxes total £922.88; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £82.40 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Dimensions and contents: measure finished length and diameter at agreed points, weigh extensions and check the quantity and colour mix in each pack.
Attachment and tips: check loop openings, loose attachment ends and tapered tips against the retained sample; gently pull and flex the locked section to check for unravelling.
Wash performance: wash production samples, check colour transfer onto pale cloth, and compare shedding, stiffness and texture after drying.
Packing and identification: open packs from different cartons, check for dampness and compression, and match style and colour labels to the order. Use the retained sample during quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A neat outer surface can hide a loose core that unravels during washing or installation. Extensions can vary in thickness, have attachment loops too tight to use, or contain short fibres that shed. Dark colours may transfer, while tightly compressed packs can leave bent or flattened sections.
A supplier may replace the approved fibre or use a coating that conceals roughness until washing. Record material and processing claims in the order, retain the approved sample and inspect production after washing and drying. Ask for support for human-hair origin claims rather than repeating unsupported descriptions.
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 dreadlock extensions from China?
The supplied tariff lines carry 2% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions. Classification depends on material and construction.
Do human-hair and synthetic dreadlock extensions use the same code?
No. Finished synthetic extensions use 6704 19 00 00; human-hair extensions use 6704 20 00 00. Confirm the actual material and construction before declaring the goods.
How do I check whether dreadlock extensions unravel?
Wash and dry production samples using the intended care method, then flex the locked section and gently pull the attachment area. Compare loose fibres, shape and firmness with the retained sample.
What should I specify for dreadlock attachment ends?
State whether you need loops, folded extensions or loose hair for crocheting. Agree loop opening, loose-end length, tip shape and how finished length is measured.