Sourcing knitted baby cardigans from China
Knitted baby cardigans from China carry 12% UK duty across the cardigan lines shown, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. They need fibre composition labels; specify secure buttons and no hazardous loose cords, and confirm applicable safety requirements with Trading Standards. Cambridge China Bridge sources knitted baby cardigans.
UK duty on knitted baby cardigans
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6111 covers babies' garments and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted. The cardigan lines shown all carry 12% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures or suspensions recorded. The wider heading includes gloves with different rates; see the knitted baby rompers guide.
The tariff attaches cat and dog fur and seal-product import controls, plus CITES controls on some animal-fibre and other-material lines. Cat and dog fur products cannot be imported. Seal products face a general import ban with limited exceptions; the indigenous-hunt exception needs a seal catch attestation. For Chinese supplies containing seal material, confirm eligibility and documents with your customs broker. For CITES-listed material, confirm permits and any species restrictions before ordering.
Confirm the commodity code using the actual yarn composition and garment specification. Do not use an adult cardigan code or a baby-glove line merely because the fibre matches. Confirm the applicable VAT rate and any zero-rating eligibility with HMRC or your customs broker; use the import duty and VAT guide when preparing your calculation.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton knitted baby cardigans | 6111 20 90 00 | 12% | None |
| Synthetic-fibre knitted baby cardigans | 6111 30 90 00 | 12% | None |
| Wool or fine animal hair knitted baby cardigans | 6111 90 19 00 | 12% | None |
| Artificial-fibre knitted baby cardigans | 6111 90 90 19 | 12% | None |
Specify yarn, button bands and fit
Agree fibre composition, yarn thickness, knit structure, garment weight, colour and hand feel against an approved sample. Give measurements for chest, body length, sleeve length, neck opening and button-band overlap, with agreed tolerances. Specify rib recovery at cuffs and hem, seam construction and how yarn ends are secured.
Confirm the applicable general product safety requirements with Trading Standards. For these cardigans, avoid neck cords and specify securely attached buttons, poppers and decorations. Require a durable, legible fibre composition label. Agree washing instructions and checks for shrinkage, colour transfer and pilling, and arrange fabric and trim testing through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: An illustrative mixed-size order of cotton knitted baby cardigans under 6111 20 90 00, invoiced at £2,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,500. Duty at 12% is £420. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,920, so it is £784. Import taxes total £1,204; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £420 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: pull-test buttons, poppers and decorations before and after washing; check buttonholes for fraying and confirm the fastening does not tear through the knitted band.
Knitting and seams: inspect for dropped stitches, holes, uneven tension, open shoulder seams and loose yarn ends inside sleeves. Compare cuffs, hem and button bands with the approved sample.
Fit and washing: measure each sampled size before and after the agreed wash; check shrinkage, twisting, colour transfer and whether the front bands still lie flat.
Labels and arrival: check fibre composition labels against the specification, match size labels and carton contents to the packing list, and inspect for dampness, mould or snagging. Use the agreed inspection plan.
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What goes wrong
A cardigan can look correct while its button band stretches, curls or gapes when fastened. Weak button attachment creates a detachable-part hazard, and loose yarn ends can catch small fingers. Reject loose fastenings and compare the finished garment with the approved sample after washing.
Yarn substitutions change softness, shrinkage and pilling behaviour. Different dye lots can leave sleeves and body visibly mismatched. Approve each colour, record the agreed yarn composition and keep a sealed sample for comparison when the shipment arrives.
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 cardigans from China?
The cardigan lines shown carry 12% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions for these lines.
Do knitted baby cardigans need fibre labels?
Yes. They need a durable, legible fibre composition label. Check that the label matches the yarn actually used, rather than relying on the sample description.
What should I check on cardigan buttons?
Check attachment strength before and after washing, fraying around buttonholes and damage to the knitted band. Treat loose buttons, poppers or decorations as defects.
Do baby cardigans always attract import VAT?
Confirm the applicable VAT rate and any zero-rating eligibility with HMRC or your customs broker. Check the actual cardigans rather than assuming the babywear description settles VAT.