Sourcing knitted sports headbands from China

8% for elasticated headbands, otherwise 12%

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 October 2026, heading 6117 covers made-up knitted or crocheted clothing accessories and their knitted parts. Elasticated or rubberised sports headbands carry 8% duty from China; other knitted headbands and knitted parts carry 12%. The supplied tariff lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. The table distinguishes constructions and parts, so some entries share a code.

The tariff attaches CITES, cat and dog fur, and seal-product import controls, plus CITES and cat and dog fur export controls. Imports and exports of cat and dog fur products are banned. Seal products face an import ban with limited exceptions; confirm any proposed seal material with your customs broker before ordering. For CITES-listed material, check the species and permit requirements with your broker before shipment from China.

Ask your broker to confirm whether the finished construction is elasticated or rubberised using a sample and material specification. Confirm the commodity code, rather than relying on the supplier's description. See the wider knitted accessories guide for the rest of the heading.

Specify fit, absorbency and stretch recovery

Specify yarn composition, knit structure, relaxed circumference, width, thickness and intended wearer. Approve the wearing tension on a sample, then agree how to assess recovery after repeated stretching. Describe the elastic yarn or rubberised treatment explicitly. A tight band can leave pressure marks; a loose band can slip during movement.

Agree seam position, seam bulk, logo placement and the feel of the surface against the forehead. If absorbency or quick drying is part of the brief, agree a repeatable sample comparison before production. Fibre composition must be labelled; compare the approved label with bulk fibre testing. Agree washing instructions and acceptable changes in fit, colour and surface appearance.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 3,000 elasticated knitted sports headbands under 6117 80 10 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,400. Duty at 8% is £512. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,912, so it is £1,382.40. Import taxes total £1,894.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £512 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Fit and recovery: measure relaxed circumference and width by colour and size, stretch samples using the agreed method, and check recovery against the approved sample.

Seams and logos: check for broken stitches, rough joins, twisted bands, bulky seams and embroidery that scratches the skin or restricts stretch.

Colour and washing: check colour transfer by rubbing and after perspiration exposure, then wash samples as instructed and compare fit, pilling and seam condition.

Labels and packing: compare fibre labels with test results and order details, check size identification, and inspect arriving cartons for dampness, odour and mixed colours. Use an agreed inspection brief.

What goes wrong

Headbands can look correct when flat but become uncomfortable when worn. Excessive tension, poor recovery and a stiff embroidered logo can alter the fit. Seams may split during stretching, dark dyes may transfer to skin or clothing, and washing may leave the band loose or curled.

Keep an approved sample for each construction and compare bulk samples before dispatch and on arrival. Record faults by colour and size, including washed samples. Ask the factory to correct the yarn, elastic or seam construction responsible, rather than approving a replacement solely because its dimensions match.

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.