Sourcing hand-woven tapestries from China
Hand-woven tapestries of the Gobelins, Aubusson and similar types, and needle-worked tapestries such as petit point, from China pay 4% UK duty under the single code 5805 00 00 00, with no anti-dumping duty. The tariff attaches a CITES import control, so declare that no protected species are used. Buyers check weave density, colour against artwork and finishing.
4% duty and the CITES control
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 October 2026, heading 5805 covers hand-woven tapestries of the Gobelins, Flanders, Aubusson, Beauvais and similar types, and needle-worked tapestries, whether or not made up. It is a single code carrying 4% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
The code carries a CITES import control: goods clear with a CITES certificate or a declaration that they do not contain species covered by the convention. Machine-woven jacquard wall hangings are classified elsewhere, so confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-woven tapestries and needle-worked tapestries | 5805 00 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specifying a tapestry
Specify the artwork and colour references, size, weave density or stitch count, yarns (wool, silk or blends), whether it is hand-woven or needle-worked, lining, hanging sleeve or rod pocket, and labelling. Consumer textiles generally need fibre composition labels under the Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations 2012, but hand-embroidered tapestries are exempt unless a trade mark or business name uses a textile fibre name or a name liable to be confused with one.
Approve a woven sample of a section before the full piece, because colour and density are hard to change later.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 40 hand-woven wall tapestries under 5805 00 00 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,400. Duty at 4% is £256. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,656, so it is £1,331.20. Import taxes total £1,587.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £256 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Artwork: compare the finished piece with the approved artwork and sample for colour and detail.
Construction: check weave density, loose ends, straight edges and squareness.
Finishing: check lining, hanging sleeve, labels and packing rolled, not folded. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Tapestry orders fail on colour, density and shape. Colours drift from the artwork, density is lower than the sample, pieces are out of square, and folded packing leaves permanent creases.
Cambridge China Bridge sources hand-made textiles and decor for UK retailers and designers from small runs; see small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on tapestries from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 October 2026, hand-woven and needle-worked tapestries under 5805 00 00 00 carried 4% from China.
Why is there a CITES check on tapestries?
The code carries a CITES import control; declare that no protected species are used, or present a CITES certificate.
Are machine-woven wall hangings in heading 5805?
No. Heading 5805 is for hand-woven and needle-worked tapestries; machine-woven hangings are classified elsewhere.
How should tapestries be packed?
Rolled on a tube with protective wrapping, not folded, to avoid permanent creases.