Sourcing knitted sun sleeves from China
Knitted sun-protection sleeves from China carry 8% or 12% UK duty, depending on construction, with no trade remedies recorded. Fibre composition must be labelled for sale in Great Britain. Agree protection claims, intended use and testing before production. Cambridge China Bridge sources knitted sun-protection sleeves.
UK duty on knitted sun-protection sleeves
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6117 covers other made-up knitted or crocheted clothing accessories and knitted parts of garments or accessories. The supplied lines carry 8% duty for elasticated or rubberised accessories and 12% for other accessories and parts from China. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension is recorded. The table distinguishes sleeve constructions and separately imported parts; thumb openings alone do not determine classification.
The tariff attaches CITES, cat and dog fur and seal product import controls. Cat and dog fur products are banned. Seal products for sale in Great Britain must qualify under the Inuit and other indigenous communities exemption and have a seal catch certificate. For CITES-listed materials from China, confirm the species and applicable permits with your customs broker. Specify the complete material list, including trims, before ordering.
Confirm the commodity code using the actual knit construction, elasticated or rubberised character and whether the shipment contains finished sleeves or parts. For another sleeve family within the heading, see knitted cut-resistant sleeves.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elasticated knitted sun-protection sleeves | 6117 80 10 00 | 8% | None |
| Other knitted sun-protection sleeves, neither elasticated nor rubberised | 6117 80 80 00 | 12% | None |
| Knitted parts for sun-protection sleeves, imported separately | 6117 90 00 00 | 12% | None |
Specify coverage, stretch and protection claims
Specify fibre composition, knit structure, sleeve length, upper-arm and wrist openings, relaxed and stretched measurements, seam position and grip-band material. Agree whether the sleeve covers the back of the hand and how the thumb opening is finished. Approve fit during movement, rather than relying on a flat sample.
For sale in Great Britain, fibre content must be labelled. Agree the exact sun-protection claim and ask a laboratory to test production fabric in each colour, including stretched and washed conditions appropriate to use. Match reports to the supplied yarn, construction and finish. Plan testing and certification before approving packaging.
Confirm whether protective-equipment rules apply to the intended use before ordering. Where sleeves fall within their scope, conformity assessment is required according to the risk category. Ask the adviser to document the scope decision; a fabric protection report alone does not resolve it.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5,000 pairs of elasticated knitted sun-protection sleeves; FOB value and freight are illustrative. under 6117 80 10 00, invoiced at £11,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £11,900. Duty at 8% is £952. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,852, so it is £2,570.40. Import taxes total £3,522.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £952 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Coverage and fit: measure sleeves against the size chart and try them during arm movement; check slipping, tight upper bands, exposed gaps and thumb-opening comfort.
Fabric and claims: compare bulk fabric with the approved sample and protection reports; check yarn substitution, open stitches, snagging and shade differences.
Seams and washing: stretch seams and grip bands, then wash samples using the agreed care method; check seam opening, twisting, shrinkage, colour transfer and stretch recovery.
Labels and packing: compare fibre labels and protection wording with approved artwork; check paired sizes, matching shades and carton identification. Repeat agreed checks on arrival using the inspection guide.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A report for an unstretched fabric swatch may not represent a sleeve stretched over an arm. Bulk yarn, dye or finishing changes can also leave the report disconnected from the delivered product. Keep approved samples and record which constructions, colours and washing conditions the testing covers.
Sleeves can slip during movement, leave gaps at the wrist or upper arm, or become uncomfortable around a grip band. Thumb openings can fray and seams can split under stretch. Agree fit trials and washing acceptance before production, then check finished bulk sleeves against those decisions.
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 sun sleeves from China?
The supplied tariff lines carry 8% for elasticated or rubberised knitted accessories and 12% for other accessories and parts. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded.
Do knitted sun sleeves need fibre labels?
For sale in Great Britain, the label must show fibre content. Agree the wording before production and check it against the actual bulk material.
Can I use the factory's sun-protection report?
Check that it covers the supplied fabric, construction, colour and finish. Ask the laboratory whether stretching and washing conditions represent the sleeve's intended use.
Are knitted sun sleeves personal protective equipment?
Confirm the scope against their intended use with a testing adviser before ordering. If protective-equipment rules apply, conformity assessment is required according to the risk category.