Sourcing knitted cardigans from China
Knitted cardigans from China carry 12% UK duty across the relevant wool, cashmere, cotton and man-made fibre lines. The heading's 10% exception describes heavy wool jerseys and pullovers. Fibre composition must be labelled; specify yarn, fit and fastening construction before production. Cambridge China Bridge sources knitted cardigans.
Cardigan lines carry 12% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, heading 6110 covers jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar knitted or crocheted articles. The cardigan lines listed here carry 12% duty for goods from China. The heading's 10% line describes jerseys and pullovers containing at least 50% wool and weighing 600 g or more per article; do not assume a heavy cardigan qualifies. The supplied tariff data show no anti-dumping or countervailing duties and no suspensions.
The tariff attaches cat and dog fur and seal-product import controls, plus CITES controls on some other fine animal hair lines. Cat and dog fur products cannot be imported. Commercial seal products are restricted to qualifying indigenous hunts and require a seal catch attestation from a recognised body. For any proposed animal trim or unusual animal fibre from China, confirm species, origin and applicable documents with your customs broker before ordering.
Confirm the commodity code from the garment's construction, fibre composition and intended wearer. For the wider heading, see hoodies and sweatshirts.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wool cardigans, men's or boys' | 6110 11 30 00 | 12% | None |
| Wool cardigans, women's or girls' | 6110 11 90 00 | 12% | None |
| Cashmere cardigans, men's or boys' | 6110 12 10 90 | 12% | None |
| Cashmere cardigans, women's or girls' | 6110 12 90 90 | 12% | None |
| Cotton cardigans, men's or boys' | 6110 20 91 00 | 12% | None |
| Cotton cardigans, women's or girls' | 6110 20 99 00 | 12% | None |
| Man-made fibre cardigans, men's or boys' | 6110 30 91 00 | 12% | None |
| Man-made fibre cardigans, women's or girls' | 6110 30 99 00 | 12% | None |
Specify yarn, placket and fit
Specify fibre composition, yarn construction, knit gauge, stitch pattern and finished garment weight. Agree chest width, body length, sleeve length, shoulder shape and measurement tolerances for each size. Approve the handle and shade against a physical sample, rather than relying on photographs.
Define the neck shape, rib construction, button material, buttonhole reinforcement and placket width. For zipped cardigans, specify the zip and its attachment. Put fibre label wording into the order: the label must show fibre content, including fur and other animal parts. For children's styles, review fastening security and any cords during sample approval.
Agree wash-test, pilling and colour-fastness acceptance criteria before bulk production. Keep an approved sample for comparison with delivered stock.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 women's cotton cardigans under 6110 20 99 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
Yarn and shade: compare fibre documentation, garment weight, stitch density and shade with the approved specification; inspect for mixed dye lots and visible yarn joins.
Fit and washing: measure garments across sizes, then wash samples using the proposed care instructions and check shrinkage, twisting, rib recovery and placket curling.
Fastenings and seams: check button attachment, buttonhole alignment, zip operation and linked seams; look for dropped stitches, holes and loose ends.
Labels and arrival condition: check fibre wording, size markings and packing against the order; inspect for dampness, mould and snagging. Use the inspection guide to plan checks.
What goes wrong
A cardigan can match the approved colour yet fail after washing: the placket curls, the body shortens or the rib loses its shape. Loose knitting can expose yarn joins and allow buttons to pull through the fabric. Check these features on washed samples before approving bulk production.
Shade differences between panels or dye lots become obvious when garments are unpacked together. Compare samples across cartons, keep the approved shade reference and record defects before accepting stock. Confirm any change of yarn or finishing process before the factory uses it.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on knitted cardigans from China?
The relevant cardigan lines in the supplied tariff data carry 12% duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The heading's 10% exception describes heavy wool jerseys and pullovers.
Do knitted cardigans need fibre labels?
Yes. The label must show fibre content, including fur and other animal parts. Agree the wording and check it against the actual yarn composition.
How do I check cardigan shrinkage?
Measure an approved sample, wash it using the proposed care instructions and measure again. Agree acceptance limits before production and check body length, sleeve length and placket shape.
Can I import cardigans containing protected animal fibres?
Check the species before ordering. CITES-listed specimens moving into Great Britain require the applicable permits or certificates; confirm the route with your customs broker.