Sourcing Hessian potato sacks from China

Duty on new and used Hessian sacks

Heading 6305 covers sacks and bags used for packing goods. For this guide, Hessian means woven jute sacks for potatoes. New plain, printed and gusseted sacks share the new-jute tariff line shown in the table; used jute sacks have a separate line. For wider coverage, see jute coffee sacks.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, new jute sacks under 6305 10 90 00 carry 4% duty on goods from China, while used jute sacks under 6305 10 10 00 carry 2%. The supplied snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control on either line.

Confirm fibre composition, construction and whether the sacks are new or used before choosing the commodity code. A supplier calling a sack Hessian does not establish its material. The illustrative order uses the new-jute line.

Specify the weave, seams and potato contact

Write down the jute composition, fabric weight, weave density, finished width and length, gusset shape, opening and closure method. State the intended potato load and handling method, then agree a filled-sack handling trial. Check that the opening fits the filling equipment and that the closure can be secured without tearing the fabric.

If you pack potatoes yourself, you must use packaging suitable for food use. Ask the factory to identify yarn treatments, processing oils, dyes, printing inks and any liner. Request suitability evidence for the intended potato contact, and agree any testing and certification before production. Approve the finished sack, including printing, rather than fabric alone.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 5,000 new Hessian potato sacks; illustrative order and values under 6305 10 90 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,800. Duty at 4% is £392. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,192, so it is £2,038.40. Import taxes total £2,430.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £392 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Fabric: compare bulk sacks with the approved sample, measure finished dimensions and fabric weight, and check weave gaps, loose fibres and damaged yarns.

Seams and closure: check skipped stitches, unravelled edges and seam allowance; fill samples with the intended load and check the base, sides and closure during handling.

Cleanliness: open sacks from different bundles and check for dampness, mould, insects, foreign matter and unusual oil or chemical smells. Hold suspect sacks aside for investigation.

Printing and packing: rub the printed area to check transfer, compare artwork and placement, count bundle contents and match batch identification to the agreed records. Include these checks in the inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A lighter or more open weave can arrive looking similar to the approved sample but shed fibres or tear around stitches. Narrow seam allowances and missed stitching can open under a filled load. Sacks that meet flat dimensions may still fail to fit the filling head or close around the intended potato load.

Damp bundles can develop mould, while processing oils or printing can leave odours or transfer onto potatoes. Do not treat natural fibre or a food-grade sales description as proof of suitability. For used sacks, ask what they previously held and examine contamination and repair history before considering them for potato contact.

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.