Sourcing aramid-polyester tyre cord from China

UK duty and candidate commodity codes

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 6 October 2026, heading 5902 covers tyre cord fabric of high-tenacity yarn of nylon or other polyamides, polyesters or viscose rayon. Every supplied line carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls.

For this hybrid, treat the polyamide and polyester rows as candidates for review. Send your broker the aramid and polyester proportions, yarn construction, fabric sample and treatment details. Confirm whether the treatment amounts to rubber impregnation rather than relying on the supplier's description of the fabric as dipped.

Confirm the commodity code before ordering. For related construction and heading context, see the aramid-nylon tyre cord guide.

Specify the hybrid cord and its dip treatment

State the aramid grade and polyester grade, their proportions, and whether they are combined within each cord or used as separate cords. Specify yarn count, ply construction, twist direction and twist level, ends per unit width, weft construction, fabric width and roll length. Agree tolerances and a signed reference sample.

Specify breaking strength, elongation at an agreed load, heat shrinkage and adhesion to your own rubber compound after your curing process. Identify the dip treatment and agree dip pick-up, storage conditions and shelf life. Ask for chemical information covering the finished fabric and its treatment.

UK REACH restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on the manufacture, marketing or use of substances. Check the proposed dip chemistry against applicable restrictions before accepting the material. Ask the supplier for a UK REACH statement covering the finished fabric.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 1100 metres of hybrid aramid-polyester tyre cord fabric, assuming classification under this polyester line is confirmed; illustrative order under 5902 20 90 00, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £15,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £15,200, so it is £3,040. 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

Hybrid construction: compare fibre identity, proportions, yarn count and twist with the approved specification; retain a labelled sample from each supplied lot.

Mechanical performance: check lot results for strength, elongation and heat shrinkage using the agreed methods and conditioning; test adhesion with your rubber compound.

Fabric condition: check width, cord spacing, weft, loose ends, knots and contamination across sampled rolls; look for uneven treatment or damaged edges.

Packing and traceability: match roll labels to lot certificates, check sealed moisture-resistant wrapping and production dates, and compare storage history with the agreed shelf life.

What goes wrong

A hybrid designation can hide different fibre proportions or cord constructions. A replacement yarn may meet the headline breaking strength but behave differently under load or heat. Uneven dip pick-up, unsuitable treatment or ageing can reduce adhesion even when the fabric looks acceptable.

Approve the construction and treatment together, then compare production lots with the approved sample and compound test results. Keep suspect rolls separate until investigated. Use the quality inspection guide to define checks before dispatch and on arrival.

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.