Sourcing men's woven trench coats from China

Duty by fabric and finished garment weight

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, the listed men's woven trench-coat lines carried 12% duty on goods from China. Heading 6201 covers men's or boys' overcoats, raincoats and similar outerwear. Cotton and man-made fibre lines split at 1 kg per garment, with the same duty on both sides. No anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension is recorded.

The tariff attaches cat and dog fur import and export controls and a seal-product import control. Imports and exports of cat and dog fur, including products containing it, are banned. Commercial seal-product imports require qualifying traditional Inuit or other indigenous hunts and a seal catch attestation issued by a recognised body where the animal was killed. For a China-supplied coat containing seal material, ask your customs broker to confirm eligibility and documentation before ordering.

Give your broker the shell composition, construction details and measured finished garment weight to confirm the commodity code. The rows are candidate codes for cotton and man-made fibre trench coats, rather than a classification for every fabric blend or coated garment. Compare the women's woven trench-coat guide for the related product family.

Specify the shell, fit and trench-coat details

Specify shell and lining composition, fabric weave and weight, colour, finish and care method. Define chest, shoulder, sleeve and back-length measurements with tolerances, allowing for clothing worn underneath. Approve lapel shape, front overlap, storm flap, back vent, belt length, belt-loop position and cuff straps on a finished sample.

For sale in Great Britain, textile labels must show fibre content, including fur and other animal parts. Agree label artwork against the actual materials and check shell and lining information. Consumer products must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use; include checks for sharp buckle edges, loose hardware and broken needles in the inspection brief.

Distinguish a water-repellent finish from a waterproof garment. If selling the coat as waterproof, request fabric and finished-garment evidence, including seam performance after the agreed care treatment. Keep the approved fabric, buckle and button samples available for production comparison.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 men's woven cotton trench coats, each not exceeding 1 kg under 6201 30 10 19, invoiced at £11,800 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £12,600. Duty at 12% is £1,512. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £14,112, so it is £2,822.40. Import taxes total £4,334.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,512 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Fit and balance: measure each ordered size against the approved chart; check shoulder balance, sleeve length, front overlap and whether the belt sits at the intended waist position.

Shell and lining: compare colour and handle with the approved sample; check seam puckering, lining restriction, shrinkage and colour transfer after the agreed care treatment.

Belt and fastenings: check buckle edges, belt-loop reinforcement, button attachment, buttonhole finishing and cuff-strap operation; look for loose components and needle fragments.

Labels and packing: check fibre information against the material records, size labels against measurements, and carton contents against the packing list. On arrival, check for dampness, mould and permanent creasing. Use the quality inspection guide to write the inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A shorter belt, misplaced loops or a narrow lining can spoil the fit even when the shell measurements pass. Uneven front overlap makes a double-breasted coat hang crookedly. Buttonholes fray, buckles damage the belt covering, and stiff interfacing makes lapels curl. Compare finished production garments with the approved sample.

A substituted shell or finish can change colour, shrinkage and rain performance. Washing may distort the lining or expose weak seam tape. Record defects by style, colour and size, and agree corrective work before shipment. Keep the garment weight and material records with the customs paperwork.

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. For sleeveless outerwear, see our men's woven padded gilet sourcing guide.