Sourcing knitted ponchos from China

Poncho duty depends on the finished garment

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6110 covers jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar knitted or crocheted articles. The table gives candidate lines for knitted ponchos assessed within this heading. Confirm the finished garment's construction and fibre composition through finding your commodity code; see knitted jumpers for the wider heading. For bolero styles, see our guide to sourcing knitted bolero jackets. For cricket styles, see our knitted cricket sweater sourcing guide. For women's overcoat styles, see our women's knitted overcoat sourcing guide. For golf styles, see our knitted golf sweater sourcing guide.

The listed candidate lines carry 12% duty on goods from China. The heading's 10% exception is 6110 11 10 00 for jerseys and pullovers containing at least 50% wool and weighing 600 g or more per article. Weight alone does not establish that a poncho qualifies. The supplied tariff data records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.

The tariff attaches cat and dog fur and seal-product controls, plus CITES controls on some other animal-hair and textile lines. Imports containing cat or dog fur are banned. Commercial seal-product imports are limited to qualifying indigenous hunts with attestation. CITES-listed material needs permit checks before movement into Great Britain. For a China order containing animal-derived trims or unusual animal hair, confirm the applicable controls and documents with your customs broker before shipment.

Specify the poncho's drape and neckline

Specify yarn fibre composition, yarn thickness, knit structure, finished garment weight and the intended drape. Draw the neckline, shoulder line, side openings and hem shape, with measurement points and agreed tolerances. A flat width alone does not describe how a poncho sits when worn.

Approve fringe length and attachment, edge finishing, any hood, fastening and decorative trim. Compare a worn sample as well as a flat sample. Confirm the permitted fibre names and percentage wording with Trading Standards before agreeing the fibre label. Labels must show fibre content, including fur and other animal parts.

Agree wash and drying instructions with the factory and test samples using those instructions. Record acceptable changes in length, width, neckline shape, handle and fringe appearance. Keep an approved sample for comparison with production and arrival stock.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 women's acrylic knitted ponchos, subject to code confirmation under 6110 30 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

Shape and fit: measure the neckline, shoulder-to-hem drop, width and side openings against the approved specification; check that the garment hangs evenly when worn.

Yarn and surface: compare fibre evidence, weight, handle and shade with the approved sample; check loose loops, dropped stitches, snagging and visible pilling.

Edges and trims: check fringe attachment, hem curling, seam security and fastening operation; inspect inside the neckline for rough or bulky finishing.

Wash and labels: wash samples from each colour, compare dimensions and colour transfer, and check fibre labels against the approved wording. Use the quality inspection guide to prepare the inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A poncho can match the flat measurements yet hang badly because the yarn or knit structure has changed. Necklines stretch, pointed hems become uneven, fringes shed or tangle, and open knitting catches on jewellery. A softer-looking sample can become a heavier, stiffer production garment.

Check production samples in the intended wearing position and after washing. Separate affected stock on arrival and record the colour, batch and defect before agreeing corrective work. Keep yarn substitutions and changes to fringe construction subject to sample approval.

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. For UK brands selling into China, see exporting knitwear to China. For men's knitted outerwear, see our knitted car coat sourcing guide.