Sourcing leather welding spats from China

Duty on leather welding spats

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6406 covers footwear parts, removable accessories, gaiters, leggings and similar articles and their parts. Leather welding spats are relevant to 6406 90 90 10, the gaiters and similar articles line. The styles and parts shown above share this line; they are not separate tariff subdivisions.

The supplied tariff snapshot records 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. It attaches CITES, cat and dog fur, and seal-product import controls. CITES-listed species require permits. Imports of cat and dog fur and products made from it are banned. Seal products may be imported and sold only in limited cases meeting strict conditions; confirm any applicable exemption and documentation with your customs broker.

Give your broker photographs, the leather species, construction and intended use, then confirm the commodity code before shipment. Do not assume a supplier's code for an apron also covers spats. See the related leather welding aprons guide when buying other leather welding protection.

Specify leather, boot coverage and protection

Specify the animal species, split or grain leather, thickness tolerance, panel layout, stitching thread, seam construction and fastening materials. Agree the height, calf adjustment, instep coverage and overlap over the intended work boots. Fit the approved sample with the trousers and boots your customers use, including when crouching and walking.

Most new PPE placed on the Great Britain market must be UKCA or CE marked, supplied with a declaration of conformity and instructions in English. For welding spats, ask for assessment and test evidence matching the finished design and its claimed protection. Agree care instructions, limitations and replacement guidance. Use testing and certification support to review the evidence before production.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Paired leather welding spats for a workshop-supply stock order (illustrative) under 6406 90 90 10, invoiced at £7,000 free on board, with £1,480 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £8,480. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £8,480, so it is £1,696. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Leather: compare production panels with the approved sample for thickness, flexibility, tears and weak patches; check the declared species and material records.

Coverage: fit paired spats over the intended boots, check instep coverage and rear overlap, and look for gaps when walking or crouching.

Seams and closures: check skipped stitches, unsecured seam ends, strap attachment and fastening retention; look for folds or openings that could trap spatter.

Documents and packing: match product identification, conformity marking and declaration to the supplied design; check English instructions, pairing, dry cartons and mould at inspection.

What goes wrong

A spat can match the catalogue photograph yet leave the boot tongue exposed or pull open when the wearer bends. Stiff leather, misplaced straps and uneven panels can spoil the fit. Compare production pairs with the approved sample on the intended boots rather than accepting a flat measurement alone.

A report for an apron, jacket or leather swatch does not establish the performance of the supplied spat design. Treat changes to leather, seams or closures as reasons to review the supporting evidence. Hold mismatched or damp stock aside while the supplier resolves the discrepancy.

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.