Sourcing knitted berets from China
Knitted berets from China carry 2% UK duty across the relevant beret lines, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Textile fibre labelling is required in Great Britain. Specify yarn composition, crown shape and opening stretch before approving production. Cambridge China Bridge sources knitted berets.
UK duty on knitted berets
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6505 covers knitted or crocheted headgear and other textile hats. Hand-made wool berets have a specific line, 6505 00 90 10; other knitted berets fall under 6505 00 90 90, subject to confirmation. Both carry 2% duty from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. The listed suspension applies only to disposable hair nets, not berets.
The tariff attaches CITES, cat and dog fur, and seal-product import controls. Cat and dog fur products cannot be imported. Seal products imported into Great Britain for trade need a seal catch certificate; confirm eligibility before ordering from China. CITES specimens need an import permit. If animal-derived trims are proposed, have your customs broker confirm the applicable requirements before shipment.
Confirm the yarn, construction, manufacturing method and trims using finding your commodity code. The table separates product variants sharing a code, rather than separate tariff lines. For felt construction and the wider heading comparison, see felt berets. Use the duty and VAT guide for the landed-tax calculation.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-made wool knitted berets | 6505 00 90 10 | 2% | None |
| Machine-knitted wool berets | 6505 00 90 90 | 2% | None |
Specify the yarn, crown and opening
Specify fibre composition, yarn thickness, stitch pattern, finished weight, crown diameter and head-opening measurements. State how the opening is measured relaxed and stretched, and agree acceptable recovery after stretching. Approve a physical sample showing the intended drape and how the crown sits when worn.
Agree the ribbed band, crown shaping, seams, central stalk, lining and decoration. Record the washing method and acceptable dimensional change after washing. For sale in Great Britain, the textile label must show fibre content, including fur and other animal parts. Match the label to the approved materials.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: An assorted-colour order of machine-knitted berets, illustrative only under 6505 00 90 90, invoiced at £7,500 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £8,400. Duty at 2% is £168. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £8,568, so it is £1,713.60. Import taxes total £1,881.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £168 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Shape and fit: measure crown diameter and the relaxed opening against the approved sample; stretch the band and check recovery, symmetry and wearing comfort.
Knitting and finish: check dropped stitches, holes, uneven tension, bulky joins, loose ends and secure attachment of the central stalk or decoration.
Yarn and colour: verify fibre content against the label; check shade consistency, rubbing and perspiration colour transfer, pilling and appearance after the agreed wash.
Packing and arrival: check quantities by colour, label accuracy, dampness and distortion from compression. Compare arrival samples with retained approved samples and the inspection checklist.
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What goes wrong
A beret can match the flat sample but sit badly on the head. Uneven crown shaping creates a tilted silhouette, while a tight band leaves marks and a loose band slips. Yarn substitution changes softness, drape and stretch recovery. Washing can shrink the opening or leave the crown distorted.
Keep a sealed sample and a written measurement method. Check production pieces from each colour, including washed samples. Investigate shade variation, pilling and stretched bands before accepting the batch; packing pressure can also flatten the crown or crease decoration.
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 berets from China?
The relevant knitted-beret lines carry 2% duty from China. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is listed. The disposable-hair-net suspension does not apply to berets.
Which commodity code covers knitted berets?
Hand-made wool berets have line 6505 00 90 10. Other knitted berets use 6505 00 90 90, subject to confirmation of materials, construction and manufacturing method.
Do knitted berets need fibre labels?
Yes. For sale in Great Britain, the label must show fibre content, including fur and other animal parts. Check it against the approved yarn and lining.
How do I check whether a knitted beret will fit?
Agree relaxed and stretched opening measurements, then check band recovery and wearing fit against a physical sample. Repeat the checks after the agreed wash.