Sourcing linen velvet fabric from China
Linen velvet fabric from China carries 8% UK duty under the flax line of heading 5801, with no anti-dumping duty listed. Fabric sold by the metre to consumers needs fibre composition information; for domestic upholstery use, confirm applicable fire requirements with the relevant authority. Cambridge China Bridge sources linen velvet fabric.
Linen velvet duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 5801 covers woven pile fabrics and chenille fabrics. Its flax line, 5801 90 10 00, carries 8% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for that line.
The table starts with flax and includes cotton and man-made fibre warp pile alternatives for comparison. Those alternatives are not descriptions of pure linen velvet. All listed rows carry 8% duty. Ask the factory to identify the pile and ground yarns separately rather than relying on the sales name.
Confirm the commodity code using a fabric sample, construction details and verified composition. Knitted velour belongs outside this woven heading. For wider heading context and a different velvet fibre, see woven silk velvet.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woven pile fabrics of flax, including linen velvet | 5801 90 10 00 | 8% | None |
| Cotton warp pile fabrics, manufactured on handlooms | 5801 27 00 10 | 8% | None |
| Other cotton warp pile fabrics | 5801 27 00 90 | 8% | None |
| Man-made fibre warp pile fabrics | 5801 37 00 00 | 8% | None |
Specify the linen pile, ground and finish
Specify the fibre composition of the pile and ground, usable width, fabric weight, pile height and density, colour, dye lot, backing and finish. Agree the intended use and cleaning method. Keep an approved physical sample showing the accepted handle, lustre and natural yarn variation.
Fabric sold by the metre to consumers needs fibre composition information. The label must show fibre content. Ask for composition testing where the supplier's description is unclear, especially when linen appears only in the ground or is blended with other fibres.
For domestic upholstered furniture, confirm applicable cigarette and match resistance requirements with the relevant authority. Ask whether the actual permanent cover fabric may use a fire-resistant interliner instead of passing the match test. Agree the compliance route and obtain reports matching the actual fabric, backing and finish through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 100 metres of linen velvet for an upholstery business under 5801 90 10 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,600. Duty at 8% is £528. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,128, so it is £1,425.60. Import taxes total £1,953.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £528 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Composition: compare the tested fibre content with the purchase specification and label; check that the delivered pile and ground match the approved sample.
Shade and nap: view rolls with the pile facing the same direction under consistent light. Check side-to-centre shading, dye-lot differences, crush marks and marked pile direction.
Construction: measure usable width and roll length; inspect for bald areas, loose pile, weaving faults, distorted edges and backing transfer. Compare natural slubs with the accepted sample.
Performance and packing: check abrasion, rubbing colour fastness and dimensional change after the agreed cleaning method. Inspect tubes and wrapping for pressure damage and moisture. Use the inspection guide to organise acceptance checks.
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What goes wrong
A linen description can hide a different pile fibre or an unagreed blend. Rolls can look mismatched when their nap runs in opposite directions, while tight packing leaves crushed bands. Excessive slubs, pile loss and dye transfer can make otherwise usable fabric unsuitable for visible upholstery panels.
A fire report for another backing or finish does not establish the performance of the delivered fabric. Approve the actual construction, retain a reference cutting from each dye lot and compare arrival samples before cutting customer orders.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on linen velvet from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 8% duty under 5801 90 10 00, the flax line, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty listed.
Is linen velvet always made entirely from linen?
Ask for the pile and ground composition separately. Check the sample and test results against the agreed specification rather than relying on the product name.
Does linen upholstery velvet need fire testing?
Confirm applicable cigarette and match resistance requirements for domestic upholstery with the relevant authority. Ask whether the actual permanent cover fabric is eligible to use a fire-resistant interliner instead of passing the match test.
Why do linen velvet rolls look different colours?
Pile direction changes the appearance. Compare rolls with the nap aligned under consistent light, then check dye lots, uneven dyeing and pressure marks.