Sourcing Felt-soled Wading Boots from China
Felt-soled wading boots within heading 6405 carry 2% to 4% UK duty from China; a composite-soled design may fall on the 16% line instead. Confirm the actual upper and outer sole, and label the upper, lining and sock, and sole materials. Cambridge China Bridge sources felt-soled wading boots.
UK duty depends on the upper and outer sole
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 24 October 2026, heading 6405 covers other footwear. Felt-soled candidates carry 2% for leather or composition-leather uppers and 4% for textile or other uppers. The 16% row is a comparison for composite designs with other uppers whose outer sole is classified as rubber, plastics or leather. It is not the default felt-sole rate. See the wider other footwear guide.
The supplied lines list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. All attach seal-product import controls; leather-upper and textile-upper candidates also attach CITES controls, while leather-upper and the composite comparison line attach cat-and-dog-fur controls. CITES-listed leather needs the relevant permits between China and Great Britain. Seal products for sale require a seal catch certificate; confirm any applicable exemption with the relevant authority before shipment. Cat and dog fur products are banned. Ask your broker to check applicability against the materials.
HMRC identifies the outer-sole material by its contact with the ground. For mixed felt and rubber bottoms, send your broker underside photographs, material details and a sample to confirm the commodity code. Rubber or plastic outer soles with textile or leather uppers may fall outside this heading. Do not use the indoor-footwear line for outdoor wading boots.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leather or composition-leather uppers; felt outer soles | 6405 10 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Textile uppers; felt outer soles; outdoor footwear | 6405 20 99 00 | 4% | None |
| Other uppers; felt outer soles | 6405 90 90 00 | 4% | None |
| Other uppers; composite soles classified as rubber, plastic or leather | 6405 90 10 00 | 16% | None |
Specify felt, wet bonding and wader-sock fit
Specify felt fibre composition, thickness, density, coverage and attachment to the supporting sole. Record any exposed rubber tread, stud fittings, toe reinforcement, drainage openings and replaceable sole arrangement. Approve the adhesive and wet-conditioning test method with the factory, then compare sole adhesion before and after soaking and flexing.
Approve fitting samples worn over the intended wader socks. Record internal length, width, instep clearance, heel hold and lacing adjustment across the size range. Agree grip checks on the intended wet surfaces and care instructions for cleaning and drying the felt. Describe whether the boot drains rather than promising waterproof performance.
Confirm with the relevant authority whether footwear composition labels must identify the upper, lining and sock, and outer sole, and whether words or pictograms on at least one boot of each pair are required. Also confirm the importer's consumer product safety responsibilities. Arrange testing and certification for the actual materials and intended use, and ask the relevant authority to confirm any applicable UK REACH restrictions for leather and dyed textiles.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative mixed-size batch of textile-upper, felt-soled wading boots; values are illustrative, not a quotation under 6405 20 99 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £135 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,135. Duty at 4% is £125.40. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,260.40, so it is £652.08. Import taxes total £777.48; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £125.40 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Felt and bonding: compare coverage, thickness and density with the approved sample; soak and flex sample boots, then inspect toe edges and heel bonds for lifting.
Fit and fastening: try production samples over the intended wader socks; check heel hold, lace travel, eyelet attachment and left-to-right size matching.
Grip and drainage: check the agreed wet-surface performance, drainage openings and any stud fittings; inspect for sharp hardware and blocked outlets.
Labels and packing: match composition labels to the actual materials, check paired sizes and carton allocation, and inspect felt and packaging for dampness or mould. Record defects through quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
Dry samples can hide a weak felt-to-sole bond. After soaking and flexing, felt can peel at the toe or heel, compress unevenly or shed fibres. Poor sizing leaves insufficient room for wader socks, while weak eyelets pull out when the wearer tightens the laces. Assess these points together on production samples.
A substituted sole or exposed rubber tread can leave the customs description and composition label inconsistent with the goods. Damp felt packed before drying can also arrive mouldy. Compare arrivals with the retained sample and material specification before releasing stock.
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 felt-soled wading boots from China?
Within heading 6405, felt-soled candidates carry 2% for leather uppers and 4% for textile or other uppers. The composite comparison line carries 16%. No trade remedies or suspensions are listed in the supplied records.
Are all felt-soled wading boots classified under 6405?
Confirm the upper and actual outer sole with your broker. Mixed felt and rubber bottoms need particular attention; textile or leather uppers with rubber or plastic outer soles may fall outside 6405.
What labels do felt-soled wading boots need?
Ask the relevant authority to confirm the composition labelling requirements for the upper, lining and sock, and outer sole, including whether words or pictograms on at least one boot of each pair are required. Match the label to the production materials.
How do I check whether the felt sole will stay attached?
Agree a wet-conditioning and flexing method before production. Compare adhesion before and after soaking, inspect toe and heel edges, and check production samples against the retained approved sample.