Sourcing men's woven school trousers from China

School trouser lines carry 12% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6203 covers men's or boys' suits, ensembles, jackets, blazers, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts other than swimwear. This guide selects woven school trouser lines by textile material. All selected lines carry 12% duty for goods from China. The supplied facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions for these lines.

The selected lines attach cat and dog fur and seal-product import controls; the wool line also attaches CITES controls. Cat and dog fur, including products made from it, is banned from import. Seal products brought into Great Britain for trade must have a seal catch certificate. For any protected animal material, confirm the species and CITES permit requirements with your customs broker. For a China order containing seal material, confirm eligibility with the broker before ordering.

Confirm the commodity code using the sample, woven construction and fibre composition. Do not choose an occupational line simply because the trousers form part of a uniform. For wider heading coverage, see woven work trousers.

Specify school colour, waist adjustment and fit

Specify fibre composition, weave, fabric weight, school colour against an approved swatch, stretch and finish. Record waist, seat, rise, inside leg and hem width with agreed tolerances. Set the size breakdown, straight or tapered leg, pleats, belt loops, pocket depth, zip, fastening and any concealed adjustable waistband. Approve fit while sitting, walking and bending, as well as standing.

For sale in Great Britain, the label must show fibre content. Agree label artwork against the actual fabric and provide practical washing instructions. Products should only be sold once compliance with product safety regulations has been demonstrated appropriately. Ask for wash, rubbing, pilling and seam test results tied to the ordered fabric and colour; agree testing through testing and certification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 pairs of men's woven synthetic-fibre school trousers under 6203 43 19 00, invoiced at £5,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,800. Duty at 12% is £696. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,496, so it is £1,299.20. Import taxes total £1,995.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £696 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Colour and fabric: compare production trousers with the approved school swatch, checking shade variation between panels and cartons, fabric weight, surface pilling and colour transfer.

Fit and washing: measure garments across the ordered sizes before and after the agreed wash procedure; check waist adjustment, inside leg, seat room, twisting and crease appearance.

Seams and fastenings: check crotch and seat seams, pocket corners, belt loops, zip operation, waistband button attachment and concealed elastic recovery; look for exposed sharp parts or retained needles.

Labels and packing: match fibre labels, size labels and care instructions to the approved specification; reconcile the size assortment and inspect arrival cartons for dampness. Use the agreed sample at quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A school colour approved on a small swatch can vary across bulk dye lots. Trousers may fit at the waist but pull across the seat when sitting, while adjustable elastic can roll or lose recovery. Washing can shorten the legs, twist seams or leave a shiny surface. Weak pocket corners and crotch stitching may only become apparent during wear.

Keep an approved garment and written measurement tolerances rather than relying on a size name. Agree the wash procedure and acceptance checks before cutting. On arrival, hold pieces with mismatched labels, failed measurements or damaged fastenings for review, and record defects by carton and size.

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.