Sourcing millinery hat frames from China
Millinery hat frames from China carry 0% UK duty under 6507 00 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty listed. Businesses importing or selling consumer products are responsible for their safety, so check exposed wire ends and joints. Cambridge China Bridge sources millinery hat frames.
UK duty on millinery hat frames
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 8 November 2026, heading 6507 covers headbands, linings, covers, hat foundations, hat frames, peaks and chinstraps for headgear. Millinery hat frames under 6507 00 00 00 carry 0% duty on goods from China. The supplied tariff facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The frame descriptions in the table share the same commodity line.
The tariff attaches import and export controls on cat and dog fur, plus an import control on seal products. Cat and dog fur and products made from it are banned from import and export. Seal products for sale in Great Britain must qualify under the Inuit and other indigenous communities’ exemption and have a seal catch attestation certificate. For frames from China with animal-derived coverings, confirm the material and applicable clearance requirements with your customs broker before ordering.
Confirm the commodity code using the frame’s construction and whether it is a hat-making part or finished headgear. The hat bands, linings and peaks guide covers the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millinery hat frames | 6507 00 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the frame shape and wire construction
Send a drawing and physical reference showing the crown profile, brim outline, head opening and attachment points. State the wire material, diameter, stiffness, joint method and protective covering. Agree dimensional tolerances and whether the frame should retain its shape or allow adjustment during hat making.
Approve a sample with your intended fabric and trim fitted. Check that the covering can be stitched securely, the frame supports the decoration and the joints do not show through the finished hat. Specify supports and separators in the packing so nested frames do not bend or snag.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 900 millinery hat frames 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 and fit: compare the head opening, crown profile and brim outline with the approved pattern; trial the frame with the intended covering.
Wire and joints: check stiffness, joint security, burrs and exposed ends; flex the frame as intended during assembly and inspect for movement or breakage.
Covering and finish: check wrapping is secure, stitching areas remain usable and there is no rust, staining or coating flaking.
Packing and arrival: check for flattened crowns, twisted brims and tangled frames; match the delivered shapes and quantities to the packing list. See quality inspection explained.
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What goes wrong
A frame can match the outline but use wire that is too soft to support the trim or too stiff for the maker’s assembly process. Loose joints distort the shape, rough ends snag fabric, and bulky connections show through the covering. Compare production samples with the approved frame after covering and trimming.
Tight nesting can flatten crowns and twist brims during transport. Reject packing that forces frames out of shape. Businesses importing or selling consumer products are responsible for their safety; exposed wire and joints that break in use therefore need attention before 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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on millinery hat frames from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 0% duty under 6507 00 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension listed.
Are finished hats covered by the hat-frame code?
Finished hats are classified as headgear. Confirm the code from the actual goods and their stage of manufacture, rather than using the supplier’s description alone.
What should I specify for a wire hat frame?
Specify the crown and brim shape, head opening, wire material, diameter, stiffness, joints, covering and attachment points. Approve it with the intended fabric and trim fitted.
How do I stop hat frames arriving bent?
Agree supports, separators and a nesting arrangement that preserves the approved shape. Check packed samples for crown flattening, brim twisting and snagging before dispatch.