Sourcing men's knitted overcoats from China

UK duty on men's knitted overcoats

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 6101 covers men's or boys' knitted or crocheted overcoats and related outerwear, excluding articles of heading 6103. This guide selects overcoat lines by textile material. All supplied lines carry 12% duty for goods from China, so there is no variation in the recorded duty range. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspensions are recorded.

The tariff attaches cat and dog fur and seal-product controls, plus CITES import and export controls on the other-textile lines. Cat and dog fur products cannot be imported or exported. Seal products for sale in Great Britain must have a seal catch certificate; ask your customs broker to confirm eligibility under the Inuit and other indigenous communities exemption. For CITES-listed animal materials from China, confirm the species, applicable permits and import conditions with your customs broker before ordering.

Confirm the commodity code using the actual construction, fibre composition and intended wearer. The table gives candidate overcoat lines, rather than a classification for every blend. For related outerwear, see women's knitted overcoats. The import duty and VAT guide explains the tax calculation.

Specify the knit, coat shape and lining

Specify fibre names and proportions, yarn, knit structure, fabric weight and surface finish. Define coat length, chest width, shoulder width, sleeve length, collar shape, front overlap and pocket position. Supply a graded measurement chart with agreed tolerances. Approve the coat over the layers your customers will wear, and check how its weight affects the shoulders and hem when hanging.

Agree lining material, ease, attachment points, seam construction, button reinforcement and any zip specification. Set acceptance criteria for pilling, snagging, colour transfer and dimensional change after the intended cleaning method. For sale in Great Britain, the label must show fibre content, including fur and other animal parts. Importers placing products on the UK market need to demonstrate compliance with relevant safety requirements. Approve label wording and identify every animal-derived trim before production.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 men's cotton knitted overcoats; FOB value and freight are illustrative, not a quotation. under 6101 20 10 00, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £19,500. Duty at 12% is £2,340. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £21,840, so it is £4,368. Import taxes total £6,708; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £2,340 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Shape and fit: measure chest, coat length, shoulders and sleeves against the approved chart; hang the coat and check front balance, collar position and hem level.

Knit and seams: check dropped stitches, snagging, pilling, shoulder joins, underarms and pocket openings; compare fabric weight and handle with the retained sample.

Lining and fastenings: check that the lining allows movement without pulling the shell; operate buttons and zips, and inspect reinforcement, sharp edges and loose attachments.

Cleaning and arrival: compare shell and lining dimensions after the agreed cleaning test; check colour transfer, shade differences, damp cartons and approved labels. Use the inspection guide to record findings.

What goes wrong

A knitted overcoat can grow in length while hanging, lose its shoulder shape or develop a wavy front edge. A lining that shrinks differently from the shell can pull up the hem or restrict movement. Heavy buttons and loaded pockets can stretch an unsupported knit, while a substituted yarn can change pilling, handle and cleaning behaviour.

Retain an approved garment and fabric sample, record the cleaning method and agree reinforcement at pockets and fastenings. Compare production garments after hanging and cleaning, then repeat the agreed checks on arrival. Resolve yarn, lining or trim substitutions before accepting the batch.

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.