Sourcing jute coffee sacks from China

Duty on new and used jute coffee sacks

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, heading 6305 covers sacks and bags of a kind used for packing goods. For jute coffee sacks from China, used sacks under 6305 10 10 00 carry 2% duty and new sacks under 6305 10 90 00 carry 4%.

The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for either jute line. The table separates plain and printed purchasing options under the same codes. For other materials and bag types, see bulk bags and woven sacks.

Confirm the fibre composition, packing use and whether the sacks are new or used before choosing the commodity code. Describe any separate liner to your customs broker rather than assuming it shares the sack’s classification.

Specify the sack around the coffee

State whether the sacks will touch coffee beans directly or hold a separate liner. If you package food yourself, you must use packaging suitable for food use. Ask the supplier for evidence covering the intended coffee contact, including any liner, printing and fibre treatment. Agree this before approving production.

Specify finished dimensions, fabric weight, weave density, seam construction, mouth closure and intended filled load. Approve a sample using your filling and handling method. Agree print artwork, placement and resistance to rubbing, and tell the factory whether loose fibres or strong odours are unacceptable.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 5,000 new jute coffee sacks, illustrative order 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 fibre composition, weave, dimensions and fabric weight with the approved sample; look for thin patches, holes and excessive shedding.

Seams: check stitch consistency, seam allowance and closure; fill sample sacks and handle them as you will in the warehouse.

Cleanliness: open sacks from different bundles and check for dampness, mould, insects, foreign matter and persistent odours.

Printing and liner: rub the print against adjacent fabric, check artwork and inspect any liner for holes, weak seals and fit. Match supplied food-use evidence to the actual materials.

What goes wrong

A lighter or more open weave can shed fibres or let beans escape, while weak bottom seams open during handling. Print can transfer to neighbouring sacks in tightly packed bundles. Agree rejection criteria against the approved sample and use a quality inspection before shipment.

Damp packing can leave sacks mouldy or musty on arrival. Used sacks can carry residues or odours from earlier contents. Keep suspect stock apart and investigate its condition and history before using it for coffee; a lower duty rate does not establish food-use suitability.

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.