Sourcing men's knitted capes from China
Men's knitted capes from China carry 12% UK duty across the supplied cape lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Fibre content must be labelled for sale in Great Britain. Specify shoulder drape, neck opening and fastening strength, then check pilling and wash shrinkage. Cambridge China Bridge sources men's knitted capes.
UK duty on men's knitted capes
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 6101 covers men's or boys' knitted or crocheted outerwear, including capes, cloaks, overcoats and car coats, other than articles of heading 6103. The selected cape lines all carry 12% duty for goods from China. The supplied records show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.
The tariff attaches cat and dog fur and seal-product controls. Cat and dog fur products cannot be imported or exported. Seal products for sale in Great Britain must have a seal catch certificate; confirm eligibility under the applicable exemption and proposed seal trim with your customs broker before ordering from China. CITES controls also attach to the other-textile-material cape lines. Confirm the species and applicable permits with your broker for any listed animal material.
Confirm the commodity code from the actual fibre composition and garment construction. Use the table as candidate lines, then have your broker check the finished cape and any blended yarn. See men's knitted car coats for the wider heading and import duty and VAT for the calculation method.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's cotton knitted capes | 6101 20 10 00 | 12% | None |
| Men's man-made fibre knitted capes | 6101 30 10 00 | 12% | None |
| Men's wool or fine animal hair knitted capes, other | 6101 90 20 19 | 12% | None |
| Men's knitted capes of other textile materials | 6101 90 20 90 | 12% | None |
Specify shoulder drape, neck opening and closures
Specify fibre composition, yarn count, ply, knit structure, garment weight and surface finish. Give finished measurements for front and back length, shoulder coverage, neck opening and hem sweep, with agreed tolerances. Define any hood, collar, arm openings, fringe and lining. Approve a worn sample over the clothing it is intended to cover, checking whether the cape stays centred when the wearer moves.
Agree button, clasp or zip attachment, reinforcement at the neck and closure positions, and acceptable pilling, snagging, colour transfer and wash shrinkage. For sale in Great Britain, the label must show fibre content, including fur and other animal parts. UK importers and sellers are responsible for consumer-product safety. Check proposed closures and trim for sharp edges and snagging during sample approval.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 men's cotton knitted capes; FOB value and freight are illustrative, not a quotation. under 6101 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
Shape and drape: measure front and back length, neck opening and hem sweep; try the cape over the intended clothing and check that the closure does not pull it off-centre.
Knitting and edges: compare yarn, handle and weight with the approved sample; inspect dropped stitches, holes, uneven tension, curling hems and loose fringe attachments.
Closures and washing: check fastening attachment and neck reinforcement; wash samples using the agreed care method and compare shrinkage, twisting, pilling and colour transfer.
Arrival and labels: check cartons for damp and musty odours, compare shades across cartons and match fibre labels to approved wording. Use the inspection guide to record checks.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A loosely knitted cape can grow longer under its own weight, while a tight neck edge can lift the front and distort the drape. Heavy clasps can pull open their attachment points. Brushed yarn can pill where the cape rubs against bags or clothing, and washing can turn an even hem into a twisted or curled edge.
Keep an approved garment and yarn sample, specify the washing method and record acceptance criteria in the order. Require approval before yarn or fastening substitutions. Compare production capes after hanging and washing, then repeat the agreed checks on arrival and isolate damp or visibly defective stock.
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 men's knitted capes from China?
All selected cape lines carry 12% duty. The supplied tariff records show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.
Do men's knitted capes need a fibre label?
Check the wording against the actual yarn and trim before production.
How do I check that a knitted cape hangs correctly?
Approve a worn sample over the intended clothing. Check shoulder coverage, neck opening and front and back length, then repeat after hanging and washing to detect stretching or distortion.
Can I import knitted capes with animal trim from China?
Cat and dog fur products are banned. Seal products face a ban with limited exemptions. For CITES-listed materials, confirm the species and applicable permits with your customs broker before ordering.