Sourcing men's Cuban collar shirts from China

A flat 12% duty on woven Cuban collar shirts

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 6205 covers men's or boys' shirts. This guide focuses on men's woven Cuban collar shirts with an open, turned-back collar. Choose the line by textile material and any applicable batik description. See the men's woven shirts guide for the wider heading.

Every line supplied carries 12% duty for goods from China. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty or tariff suspension is recorded. The tariff attaches CITES import and export controls to 6205 90 80 10 and 6205 90 80 90. For listed-species materials, check stricter controls before applying for a permit and ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable Chinese export and UK import documents.

Confirm the commodity code using the actual woven construction and fibre composition, especially for blends. A Cuban collar describes the design; it does not identify the textile material. Agree the fabric specification before the supplier prepares the invoice.

Specify the open collar and relaxed fit

Specify fibre composition, weave, fabric weight, colour or print artwork, opacity and handle. Define collar shape, opening depth, facing width, interlining and whether the collar should lie flat without fastening at the neck. Approve a finished sample worn open, rather than judging the collar only while it is pressed and folded.

Agree chest width, shoulder width, body length, sleeve length, hem shape and measurement tolerances for each size. Define button material, attachment, pocket position and print matching at the front opening. Wash the approved sample to check whether the collar still lies flat and the facing stays inside.

Fibre composition must be labelled, and the label must identify any fur or other animal parts. Confirm permitted fibre names with Trading Standards. Agree care instructions and size information alongside the fibre label. Businesses importing or selling consumer products are responsible for their safety; check the finished garment for loose buttons, sharp edges and broken needle fragments.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 1,000 men's cotton woven Cuban collar shirts, illustrative only under 6205 20 00 90, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,800. Duty at 12% is £816. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,616, so it is £1,523.20. Import taxes total £2,339.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £816 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Collar and facing: check that the open collar lies evenly, collar points match the approved sample, facings stay inside and interlining does not bubble or curl after washing.

Fit and make-up: measure garments from each size against the agreed chart; inspect shoulder seams, sleeve openings, side seams, hem stitching, buttonholes and button attachment.

Fabric and print: compare shades across cartons, check pocket and front-opening pattern alignment, and wash samples for shrinkage, colour transfer and seam puckering.

Labels and packing: compare fibre labels with the fabric specification, check care and size information, and reconcile carton contents with the ordered size and colour breakdown. Use the quality inspection guide to agree the inspection scope.

What goes wrong

An open collar can look correct when pressed but curl or collapse after washing. A stiff interlining can distort a light fabric, while a loose facing can turn out at the neckline. Shrinkage can shorten the boxy body or tighten sleeve openings, changing the intended relaxed fit.

Prints can jump across the front opening, pockets can sit out of alignment and dark colours can transfer onto lighter garments. Keep an approved washed sample, agree pattern placement and check bulk fabric before cutting. Compare arrival samples with that reference before releasing stock for sale.

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.