Lightweight polyester-cotton blend fabrics from China
Woven fabrics of synthetic staple fibres, under 85% synthetic and mixed mainly or solely with cotton, weighing 170 g/m² or less, pay 8% UK duty from China on all 13 lines of heading 5513, with no anti-dumping duty. It covers lightweight polyester-rich shirtings and linings. The blend ratio and fabric weight decide the heading, so they must be tested, not taken from the quote.
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8% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 5513 covers woven fabrics of synthetic staple fibres containing less than 85% by weight of such fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, of a weight not exceeding 170 g/m². All 13 lines, split into unbleached or bleached, dyed, of yarns of different colours and printed, and by polyester or other fibre and weave, carried 8% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Heavier fabrics of the same blend are heading 5514, see our polyester-cotton twill and canvas guide; fabrics with more cotton than synthetic fall under chapter 52, see polycotton woven fabrics. Confirm the commodity code from a test report.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unbleached or bleached, polyester, plain weave, width 165 cm or less | 5513 11 20 00 | 8% | None |
| Unbleached or bleached, polyester, plain weave, width over 165 cm | 5513 11 90 00 | 8% | None |
| Unbleached or bleached, polyester, 3- or 4-thread twill | 5513 12 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Unbleached or bleached, other polyester woven fabrics | 5513 13 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Unbleached or bleached, other woven fabrics | 5513 19 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Dyed, polyester, plain weave | 5513 21 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Dyed, polyester, 3- or 4-thread twill | 5513 23 10 00 | 8% | None |
| Dyed, other polyester woven fabrics | 5513 23 90 00 | 8% | None |
| Dyed, other woven fabrics | 5513 29 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Of yarns of different colours, polyester, plain weave | 5513 31 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Of yarns of different colours, other woven fabrics | 5513 39 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Printed, polyester, plain weave | 5513 41 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Printed, other woven fabrics | 5513 49 00 00 | 8% | None |
Blend, weight and labelling
Specify the blend ratio, for example 65% polyester and 35% cotton, fabric weight in g/m², construction and yarn counts, weave, width, colour fastness, shrinkage and finish. Ask for a test report on the blend ratio and weight, because a fabric that tests heavier than 170 g/m² or with more cotton than synthetic changes heading.
Finished textile products sold in the UK must carry a fibre composition label under the Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations 2012, which apply Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 as retained, so the tested blend is what goes on the label of the garments made from it.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20,000 metres of dyed 65/35 poplin under 5513 21 00 00, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £1,400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £25,400. Duty at 8% is £2,032. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £27,432, so it is £5,486.40. Import taxes total £7,518.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £2,032 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Weight: check g/m² against the specification.
Blend: check the test report on fibre content.
Shade and fastness: check against the approved standard. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Blend fabric orders fail on weight and composition. Fabric arrives heavier or with a different blend than ordered, which changes both the commodity code and the label, and shade varies between lots.
Cambridge China Bridge sources materials for UK manufacturers with documents agreed before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on polyester-cotton blend fabric from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, all 13 lines of heading 5513 carried 8% from China.
What decides whether a polycotton fabric is 5513?
More synthetic staple than cotton but under 85% synthetic, mixed mainly with cotton, and 170 g/m² or less.
What if the fabric is heavier than 170 g/m²?
Then it is heading 5514 rather than 5513.
Do I need to test the blend?
Yes. The tested blend decides the heading and the fibre composition label.