Sourcing knitted turtleneck tops from China
Knitted turtleneck tops from China under heading 6110 carry UK duty of 10% to 12%; lightweight cotton and man-made fibre styles pay 12%. Fibre composition must be labelled. Specify neck fit and test recovery and shrinkage before approving bulk production. Cambridge China Bridge sources knitted turtleneck tops.
Duty depends on fibre and construction
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6110 covers knitted or crocheted jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles. Lightweight fine-knit cotton and man-made fibre turtlenecks have specific lines at 12%. The 10% exception is wool jerseys and pullovers containing at least 50% wool and weighing 600 g or more per article. The supplied lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.
The tariff attaches cat and dog fur and seal-product import controls, with CITES controls on other fine-animal-hair lines. Cat and dog fur products are prohibited. Seal products can only be imported and sold in limited cases under strict conditions; ask your customs broker to confirm any proposed seal material from China. For CITES-listed material, check permits and country-specific import restrictions before ordering.
Confirm the commodity code using the fibre composition, garment construction and intended wearer, rather than the supplier's style name alone. The table describes turtleneck products within broader commodity lines. See the knitted jumpers guide for the wider heading. For shooting styles, see our knitted shooting sweater sourcing guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton lightweight fine-knit turtleneck pullovers | 6110 20 10 00 | 12% | None |
| Man-made fibre lightweight fine-knit turtleneck pullovers | 6110 30 10 00 | 12% | None |
| Other wool turtleneck pullovers, men's or boys' | 6110 11 30 00 | 12% | None |
| Other wool turtleneck pullovers, women's or girls' | 6110 11 90 00 | 12% | None |
| Cashmere turtleneck pullovers, men's or boys', other than hand-made | 6110 12 10 90 | 12% | None |
| Cashmere turtleneck pullovers, women's or girls', other than hand-made | 6110 12 90 90 | 12% | None |
Specify the neck as well as the body
State the fibre blend, yarn, knit structure, garment weight and whether the neck folds over or stands upright. Include relaxed neck opening, neck height, stretch during dressing and recovery after stretching. Approve the feel against the skin, especially at the neck seam.
Set a graded measurement chart covering chest, body length, sleeves, cuffs and neck. Agree wash conditions, shrinkage tolerances, pilling acceptance and shade references. A fibre-content label is required; put the approved fibre names and percentages into the specification. Approve care wording against the wash-tested sample.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 cotton fine-knit turtleneck tops under 6110 20 10 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
Neck: compare opening and height with the approved sample; check dressing comfort, seam bulk and recovery after stretching.
Fit and washing: measure sampled garments before and after washing; check body twisting, sleeve shortening and neck distortion.
Knit and colour: inspect for dropped stitches, holes, uneven ribbing and pilling; compare shades across cartons and check colour transfer.
Labels and packing: compare fibre labels, size labels and care wording with the approved specification; check size assortments and moisture. Use the inspection guide to brief the inspector.
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What goes wrong
A neck can match the flat measurement yet feel tight when pulled over the head. Loose ribbing can instead stretch permanently and collapse during wear. Wash-test the complete garment, including the neck seam, rather than relying on a fabric swatch.
Yarn substitutions can change softness, pilling and recovery. Different dye lots can produce visible shade differences, while finishing can alter body length. Keep an approved sample and record the yarn and finishing specification so inspection compares bulk goods with the agreed product.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on knitted turtleneck tops from China?
Heading 6110 carries 10% to 12%. Lightweight fine-knit cotton and man-made fibre turtlenecks pay 12%; qualifying heavy wool pullovers pay 10%. The supplied tariff lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Do knitted turtleneck tops need fibre labels?
Yes. Fibre composition must be labelled. Agree the permitted fibre names and percentages before production, then compare the labels with the specified blend.
How do I stop a turtleneck becoming loose?
Specify the neck rib, relaxed opening and recovery after stretching. Test the complete sample after dressing and washing, then compare bulk garments with that approved sample.
Does every turtleneck use the lightweight fine-knit code?
No. Cotton and man-made fibre lightweight fine-knit styles have specific lines. Wool, cashmere and other constructions need classification from the actual garment and fibre composition.