Sourcing hand-knotted silk rugs from China
Hand-knotted silk rugs from China carry 0% UK duty across the supplied heading 5701 lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Textile labels must show fibre content, and consumer rugs sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Cambridge China Bridge sources hand-knotted silk rugs.
Zero duty on hand-knotted silk rugs
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 15 November 2026, heading 5701 covers knotted carpets and other textile floor coverings, whether or not made up. All supplied lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied data records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. Import VAT is normally 20%.
The hand-made silk line is 5701 90 10 10. The table also includes comparison lines for wool-and-silk blends and other materials, rather than alternative codes for the same silk rug. Specify the actual fibre composition and knotted construction, then confirm the commodity code. See the wider hand-knotted rugs guide for other fibres.
The tariff attaches waste import controls. For waste from China entering England under notification controls, the exporter must seek consent from the dispatch country's competent authority; confirm the applicable procedure with your customs broker. Wool and fine animal hair lines also attach CITES import controls: importing CITES specimens requires a permit. Confirm the animal species and requirements with your broker. The data also lists cultural-object, CITES and waste export controls; confirm these separately if planning re-export.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-made knotted rugs of silk or waste silk other than noil | 5701 90 10 10 | 0% | None |
| Hand-made wool or fine animal hair rugs containing more than 10% silk | 5701 10 10 10 | 0% | None |
| Other wool or fine animal hair knotted rugs, including hand-made | 5701 10 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Hand-made knotted rugs of other textile materials | 5701 90 90 10 | 0% | None |
Specify silk pile and hand-knotted construction
Specify the pile fibre separately from the warp, weft, fringe and any backing. Ask whether the pile is silk, waste silk, viscose or a blend, and obtain a fibre test report matching the proposed material. Approve a physical sample showing the design, colour, sheen, pile height, knot density, dimensions and edge finish. Agree how size variation and visible repairs will be assessed.
Textile labels must show fibre content. Consumer rugs sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Assess whether edges curl, the rug slips or loose fringes create hazards, and agree suitable care information. Record the workshop making the rug and any subcontracted knotting or finishing. Use factory verification to check the proposed production route.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 100 small hand-knotted silk rugs, illustrative only under 5701 90 10 10, invoiced at £25,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £26,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £26,500, so it is £5,300. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fibre and labels: compare the pile, foundation and fringe with the approved specification and fibre report. Check that the label's silk claim matches the supplied material.
Knots and repairs: inspect the reverse, compare knot density across the rug and check loose knots, patched areas, uneven clipping and insecure fringes.
Colour and cleaning: compare shades with the approved sample under consistent lighting. Check rubbing, light exposure and the agreed cleaning method for bleeding or fading.
Shape and packing: measure length, width and diagonals, then lay the rug flat. Check curling, dampness, mould, creases and edge damage on arrival. See quality inspection explained.
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What goes wrong
A supplier's silk description can conceal viscose pile or an undisclosed blend. Appearance and sheen alone do not establish fibre content. Lower knot density blurs the design, uneven tension distorts the shape, and repairs can be hidden beneath the pile. Keep the approved sample and specification available during inspection.
Colours can transfer to neighbouring pale areas during cleaning, while damp packing can cause mould or staining. Agree the cleaning test and packing condition before production, and inspect the reverse as well as the face before dispatch. Photograph defects on arrival before cleaning or altering the rug.
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 hand-knotted silk rugs from China?
The supplied heading 5701 lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Import VAT is normally 20%.
Which commodity code covers hand-knotted silk rugs?
5701 90 10 10 covers hand-made knotted rugs of silk or waste silk other than noil, alongside other listed materials. Confirm the code against the actual fibres and construction.
How can I check that a rug is silk?
Obtain a fibre test report matching the pile material and compare it with the specification and label. Check the foundation and fringe separately; sheen alone is insufficient.
What should I check when silk rugs arrive?
Check fibre evidence, labels, knot density, repairs, colour, dimensions and flatness. Inspect the reverse, fringes and packing for loose knots, dampness, mould and damage.