Sourcing knitted baby bibs from China
Knitted baby bibs from China under heading 6111 carry 12% UK duty across the relevant fibre lines, with no recorded trade remedies or suspensions. For sale in Great Britain, fibre content must be labelled and the product must be safe in foreseeable use. Cambridge China Bridge sources knitted baby bibs.
UK duty on knitted baby bibs
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6111 covers babies' garments and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted. The bib-relevant lines for cotton, synthetic fibres, artificial fibres and other textiles all carry 12% duty for goods from China. The supplied records show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.
The tariff attaches cat and dog fur and seal product controls. Cat and dog fur products are banned from import and export. Seal products brought into Great Britain for trade must have a seal catch certificate; confirm eligibility for sale, including the relevance of the Inuit and other indigenous communities exemption, with the relevant authority. Some other textile and animal-hair lines also carry CITES controls. For listed species, confirm applicable permits with your customs broker before ordering from China.
Confirm the commodity code using the bib's fibre composition, knitted construction, intended wearer and any backing or coating. Give the broker a sample and a material breakdown rather than relying on the supplier's product name. See the baby clothing guide for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton knitted baby bibs | 6111 20 90 00 | 12% | None |
| Synthetic fibre knitted baby bibs | 6111 30 90 00 | 12% | None |
| Artificial fibre knitted baby bibs | 6111 90 90 19 | 12% | None |
| Knitted baby bibs of other textile materials | 6111 90 90 90 | 12% | None |
Specify the knit, absorbency and neck fastening
Specify the fibre composition and knit structure of the face and backing, fabric weight, bib outline, neck opening and fastening positions. Identify any absorbent interlayer or waterproof backing separately. Approve the softness, edge binding, print placement and finished dimensions on a physical sample. Agree absorbency, leakage and wash acceptance criteria before production.
For sale in Great Britain, the fibre label must show fibre content, including fur and other animal parts. Product safety rules require consumer products to be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Avoid neck ties and loose decorations; agree checks for popper attachment, stitching and restricted substances in fabrics, prints and trims. Arrange testing and certification support around the actual materials.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 cotton knitted baby bibs; FOB value and freight are illustrative, not a quotation. under 6111 20 90 00, invoiced at £1,500 free on board, with £700 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,200. Duty at 12% is £264. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,464, so it is £492.80. Import taxes total £756.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £264 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step. This assumes the goods are standard-rated for VAT. Clothing designed for babies and young children is zero-rated under HMRC's VAT Notice 714, in which case no import VAT is due, so check the rate for your product.
Inspection checklist
Fastenings and edges: check popper attachment before and after washing, inspect reinforcement beneath each fastening, and look for loose threads, sharp edges or detachable decorations.
Absorbency and backing: compare wetting and soak-through with the approved sample; inspect any barrier layer for cracking, separation and exposed edges.
Washing and fit: measure the neck opening and bib dimensions before and after the agreed wash cycle; check curling, twisting, colour transfer and roughened binding.
Labels and materials: compare fibre wording, care instructions and material evidence with the order; check test reports cover the supplied fabrics, prints and trims. Use the inspection guide to organise arrival checks.
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What goes wrong
A soft sample can be followed by bulk bibs with thinner backing or a different finish. Liquid then reaches clothing sooner than expected. Binding can shrink differently from the knitted body, curling the edges and changing the neck opening. Poppers fitted directly into thin jersey can tear through the fabric.
Keep approved washed and unwashed samples. Record each layer and fastening detail in the order, then compare production and arrival samples against them. Investigate loose fastenings, backing separation or colour transfer before releasing affected stock for sale.
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 knitted baby bibs from China?
The relevant heading 6111 lines carry 12% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff records show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.
Do knitted baby bibs need a fibre label?
For sale in Great Britain, the label must show fibre content, including fur and other animal parts. Agree the wording before production and check it against the supplied materials.
How do I check whether a knitted bib is absorbent enough?
Agree a wetting and soak-through check against the approved sample, using the same method on production bibs. Repeat after washing and inspect any backing for separation.
What should I check on baby bib poppers?
Check attachment and fabric reinforcement before and after washing. Look for tearing around the popper, loose pieces and sharp edges; compare fastening positions with the approved neck opening.