Sourcing millinery hat foundations from China

UK duty on millinery hat foundations

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 6507 covers headbands, linings, covers, hat foundations, hat frames, peaks and chinstraps for headgear. Its single commodity line, 6507 00 00 00, carries 0% duty for goods from China. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension is listed in the supplied tariff record. The table describes foundation forms sharing that line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

The tariff attaches import and export controls on cat and dog fur and an import control on seal products. Imports and exports of cat and dog fur and products made from it are banned. For seal products, the exemption for traditional hunts by Inuit and other indigenous communities requires a seal catch attestation. If a supplier proposes seal material, confirm eligibility and documentation with your customs broker before ordering.

This guide concerns foundations supplied as hat-making components. Confirm the commodity code from the actual construction and condition of the goods, particularly where the supplier describes them as hat bodies or finished hats. See the wider millinery hat frames guide for related supports.

Specify shape, stiffness and covering method

Send a drawing and a physical reference showing the crown profile, brim outline, curvature and edge finish. State the substrate, stiffening treatment, colour and required flexibility. Agree whether the foundation arrives ready to cover or needs further shaping, and trial it with your intended fabric, stitching and adhesive.

Ask for the material composition and details of any animal-derived material. For dyed textile parts intended for direct and prolonged skin contact, confirm any applicable UK REACH azo-dye restrictions with HSE and review our published hat-parts guide. Match supporting test reports to the supplied material and colour.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small-business order of shaped millinery hat foundations under 6507 00 00 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,900, so it is £1,980. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Shape: compare crown profile, brim outline and curvature with the approved sample; check that the foundation sits evenly on the intended block.

Stiffness: trial covering and stitching; check for collapse, cracking, needle damage and distortion after the agreed shaping process.

Surface and edges: check for rough fibres, loose stiffener, sharp exposed ends and colour transfer onto the covering fabric.

Packing: inspect arrivals for crushed crowns, bent brims, moisture marks and mould; check that nesting and supports preserve the approved shape. Use the quality inspection guide to agree the inspection scope.

What goes wrong

A foundation can match the outline yet behave differently during covering. Excessive stiffness makes stitching difficult, while insufficient stiffness lets the crown or brim collapse. Uneven stiffening can leave patches that bend differently, and a rough surface can show through a fine covering fabric.

Approve a foundation after making it into your intended hat. Record the material and stiffening treatment alongside the reference sample, and agree packing with the supplier. Investigate flattened or damp arrivals before using them in production.

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.