Sourcing knitted burkinis from China
Knitted burkinis from China classified as women's or girls' swimwear under heading 6112 carry UK duty of 8% to 12%. Fibre content must be labelled for sale in Great Britain. Specify the garment pieces, wet opacity and fit, and confirm the rubber-thread content before using the lower rate. Cambridge China Bridge sources knitted burkinis.
UK duty on knitted burkinis
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6112 covers knitted or crocheted tracksuits, ski suits and swimwear. This guide focuses on knitted burkinis for women and girls. The table gives candidate swimwear lines by textile material and rubber-thread content. For the wider heading, see competitive swimming suits.
The selected lines carry 8% duty where rubber thread accounts for at least 5% by weight, and 12% on the other lines. The supplied records show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. Obtain material evidence rather than relying on a supplier's description of the fabric as stretchy.
Confirm the commodity code using the actual knit construction, fibre composition, rubber-thread content and intended wearer. Give your customs broker photographs and a list of the supplied pieces, including any separate head covering, and ask them to confirm the classification of the shipment.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women's or girls' synthetic-fibre swimwear with at least 5% rubber thread by weight | 6112 41 10 00 | 8% | None |
| Other women's or girls' synthetic-fibre swimwear | 6112 41 90 00 | 12% | None |
| Women's or girls' other-textile swimwear with at least 5% rubber thread by weight | 6112 49 10 00 | 8% | None |
| Other women's or girls' swimwear of other textile materials | 6112 49 90 00 | 12% | None |
Specify coverage, wet opacity and movement
List the pieces supplied with each burkini: swimming tunic, trousers and any head covering. Specify fibre composition, knit structure, fabric weight, lining, colours and seam construction. Provide a graded measurement chart covering tunic length, sleeve length, trouser rise, leg length and openings. Approve coverage while the wearer reaches, bends and swims.
Set acceptance criteria for opacity when wet and stretched, fabric recovery, colour transfer and performance after exposure to pool water and washing. Check the tunic-to-trouser attachment, neckline and head-covering retention on a wet sample. Agree care wording and compare light colours separately, as a dry sample can conceal transparency.
For sale in Great Britain, the label must show fibre content, including any fur or other animal parts. Consumer products must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Include checks for snagging attachments, restrictive openings and loose cords in the buying brief, especially for girls' designs.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 women's synthetic-fibre knitted burkini sets; FOB value and freight are illustrative, not a quotation. under 6112 41 90 00, invoiced at £7,000 free on board, with £700 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,700. Duty at 12% is £924. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £8,624, so it is £1,724.80. Import taxes total £2,648.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £924 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Coverage and fit: measure production garments against the approved chart; check sleeve and leg coverage during movement, tunic lift and head-covering stability.
Fabric and water: compare material evidence and handle with the approved sample; wet and stretch the fabric to check opacity, colour transfer and recovery.
Seams and attachments: stretch underarm, crotch and neckline seams; inspect skipped stitches, rough edges, fasteners and tunic-to-trouser connections.
Arrival and labels: check for damp cartons, shade differences and missing pieces; match fibre labels and size markings to the approved order. Use the inspection guide to record the checks.
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What goes wrong
A burkini can look opaque when dry yet become transparent when wet or stretched. A loose tunic can float upwards, while poorly matched trousers restrict movement. Head coverings can slip, and tight openings or rough seams can make the garment uncomfortable. Substituted fabric can change recovery, drying behaviour and colour transfer.
Retain an approved complete set and wet-test production samples against the agreed criteria. Compare colours and sizes across cartons on arrival. Ask the broker to resolve unclear material descriptions or piece classifications before shipment, and separate incomplete or defective sets before 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 burkinis from China?
The selected women's or girls' swimwear lines carry 8% where rubber thread is at least 5% by weight, otherwise 12%. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded.
Do knitted burkinis need fibre labels?
Yes. For sale in Great Britain, labels must show fibre content, including any fur or other animal parts. Match the approved wording to the actual fabric composition.
How do I check whether a burkini becomes see-through?
Wet and stretch production samples over a contrasting background. Check the tunic, trousers and lined areas, including light colours, against your agreed opacity criteria.
What should I specify for a burkini set?
List every supplied piece, fibre composition, lining, measurements and attachments. Agree coverage during movement, wet opacity, seam comfort, recovery and performance after pool-water exposure.