Sourcing knitted terry fabric from China

UK duty on knitted terry fabric

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, heading 6001 covers knitted or crocheted pile fabrics, including terry. This guide focuses on knitted loop-pile terry supplied in rolls. Choose the line by fibre composition and actual construction, rather than the supplier's fabric name. See the wider terry towelling fabric guide.

The listed loop-pile lines carry 8% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension recorded. Cotton and man-made fibre lines have no attached controls in the supplied tariff record. The other-material lines attach CITES import and export controls. CITES specimens need an import permit; for a Chinese shipment under these lines, confirm the species and applicable requirement with your customs broker before ordering.

Confirm the commodity code using a fabric sample, fibre composition and construction description. Keep knitted terry fabric distinct from finished towels or garments. The UK duty and VAT guide explains the calculation.

Specify the loops, backing and wash performance

State the fibre composition of the ground and loop yarns, whether loops are on the face, reverse or both, and whether the surface is left looped or sheared. Agree loop height, density, fabric mass, usable width, stretch and recovery, colour and finishing. Approve a sample length that can be cut, sewn and washed using the intended care method.

For towelling uses, compare absorbency and drying behaviour after washing, rather than judging softness alone. For garments, check seam behaviour, curling and distortion. Fabric sold to consumers by the metre must carry its fibre composition. For dyed or printed fabric intended for prolonged skin contact, confirm applicable UK REACH azo dye restrictions with HSE and request relevant test evidence.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 8,000 metres of cotton knitted terry fabric in rolls under 6001 21 00 00, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £13,200. Duty at 8% is £1,056. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £14,256, so it is £2,851.20. Import taxes total £3,907.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,056 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Loops: inspect for pulled loops, bare patches, uneven loop height, needle lines and holes; compare snagging and shedding with the approved sample.

Width and mass: measure usable width and fabric mass across sampled rolls; record roll lengths and compare them with the packing list and order.

Washing: check shrinkage, twisting, stretch recovery and absorbency after the agreed wash procedure; compare washed bulk samples with the approved washed sample.

Colour and packing: compare shade between rolls and across the width, check rubbing and washing colour fastness, and inspect for dampness, musty odour and crushed surfaces.

What goes wrong

A soft sample can hide loose loops that snag during cutting or use. Uneven knitting produces bands and bare areas; finishing changes usable width, handle and absorbency. Shrinkage or twisting after washing can make a garment panel or towelling piece unsuitable even when the unwashed fabric looks acceptable.

Keep an approved sample and its washed counterpart, agree acceptance criteria before bulk production, and identify dye lots on roll records. Inspect bulk rolls before dispatch and repeat key checks on arrival. Use the quality inspection guide to organise the checks.

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.