Sourcing mesh car sunshades from China

UK duty depends on the textile construction

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 6 December 2026, heading 6307 covers other made-up articles, including dress patterns. Candidate textile sunshade lines carry 6% to 12% duty for goods from China. Knitted or crocheted articles carry 12%; the selected other constructions carry 6%. The nonwoven row is an alternative panel construction, not ordinary knitted mesh. Confirm classification of the complete shade, including its frame and fittings.

The selected lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Recorded suspensions on the nonwoven and other non-knitted lines cover specified textile face masks, not sunshades. CITES import and export controls are attached; if listed species materials are present, confirm the permits for the China shipment and any onward export. The non-knitted rows also attach a torture-goods import prohibition and export restriction. Listed prohibited torture goods cannot be imported or exported; ask your broker to check applicability to the actual shade.

The nonwoven row additionally attaches a supplementary import unit measure; ask your customs broker to confirm the declaration requirement. Provide the material composition, knitted or woven construction, sample, attachment design and intended use to confirm the commodity code. For the wider heading, see dog car seat covers.

Specify window fit, mesh and attachment

Specify whether the shade slips over a framed rear door, attaches to the glass or uses a removable frame. Give the vehicle model, body style, window position and window outline. Agree fitted and relaxed dimensions, mesh construction, fibre composition, edge binding, elastic recovery and attachment materials. Approve the complete shade on the intended vehicle, including door closure, window operation and removal.

Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe. Review loose attachments, exposed frame ends, accessible loops and foreseeable pulling by passengers. Window-mounted items must not block the driver’s view; check the fitted shade from the driving position, including mirror visibility. Agree fitting instructions and any restrictions on use. Request test evidence for any claimed ultraviolet protection, using the actual mesh and colour supplied.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 800 vehicle-specific woven mesh sunshade sets, illustrative order and values only under 6307 90 98 99, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,800. Duty at 6% is £588. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,388, so it is £2,077.60. Import taxes total £2,665.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £588 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Fit and operation: compare the delivered shape with the approved sample on the intended vehicle; check coverage, edge gaps, door seals, window movement and removal.

Mesh and binding: check holes, uneven openings, snagging, loose threads, skipped stitches and binding that distorts the panel; compare colour and stretch recovery with the retained sample.

Attachments and frame: check suction, clips, magnets or elastic as specified; look for loose components, sharp ends, exposed wire and permanent deformation after packing and fitting.

Labels and packing: check vehicle compatibility, window position, fitting instructions, agreed fibre information and set contents. Photograph defects and record findings through the inspection process.

What goes wrong

A shade sold as universal can bunch around a curved window or pull a door seal out of position. Bulk mesh may stretch differently from the sample, while weak elastic allows a sleeve to slip. Changing the binding or frame can alter fit even when the flat dimensions remain the same. Keep a fitted reference sample and require approval before material or attachment changes.

Suction attachments can release, clips can mark trim, and folded frames can emerge distorted or with exposed ends. Darker or denser replacement mesh can also change visibility. Check complete production samples after representative packing, fitting and cleaning. Treat a photograph of a shaded window as evidence of appearance only; assess any protection claim separately.

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.