Sourcing knitted wrist sweatbands from China

8% for elasticated or rubberised wristbands

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 October 2026, heading 6117 covers other made-up knitted or crocheted clothing accessories and their knitted parts. For wrist sweatbands, the relevant accessory lines carry 8% duty where elasticated or rubberised, and 12% otherwise. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.

The tariff attaches CITES, cat and dog fur, and seal-product import controls. Imports of cat and dog fur, including products made from it, are banned. Seal products are subject to a ban with limited exceptions. For any animal-derived yarn or trim, have your customs broker confirm the applicable controls and documents before ordering goods from China, including whether CITES requirements apply.

Confirm the commodity code using the yarn composition, knitted construction and evidence of elastication or rubberisation. The table separates product variants sharing a tariff line; plain and embroidered designs do not create separate lines in the supplied record. See the wider knitted accessories guide for the rest of this heading.

Specify absorbency, fit and embroidery

Specify fibre composition, terry-loop construction, finished width, relaxed circumference, stretched fit and weight per wristband. Agree whether stock is packed singly or in pairs, and approve each colour against a retained sample. Assess water uptake and drying after washing rather than accepting a yarn description as proof of absorbency.

The label must show fibre content. Agree label wording against the actual blend, including the elastic yarn. For embroidered designs, approve logo position, thread colours, backing and the feel against skin. Compare samples before and after washing for shrinkage, loop damage and recovery; agree acceptance criteria before bulk production.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5,000 embroidered elasticated knitted wrist sweatbands; illustrative FOB value and freight 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 width and relaxed circumference, stretch against the approved sample, and check whether the band returns to shape after wear and washing.

Absorbency and colour: compare water uptake across colours; check rubbing and perspiration colour transfer, loose dye and staining of embroidery.

Construction and comfort: inspect terry loops, seams, exposed elastic, loose threads and embroidery backing; feel the inside for hard or scratchy areas.

Labels and packing: compare fibre test results with labels, check artwork and colour allocation, and verify single-piece or paired packing against the order.

What goes wrong

A wristband can look thick yet absorb poorly, feel tight at first and then become loose, or shrink enough after washing to change its fit. Dense embroidery can stiffen the band and leave rough backing against skin. Dark yarn can transfer colour to hands or clothing.

Keep a washed approval sample as well as the original. Check bulk samples from every colour for recovery, absorbency, colour transfer and inside finish. Quarantine arrivals that differ from the agreed sample while you establish the extent of the fault.

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.