Sourcing muslin baby cloths from China
Woven muslin baby washing cloths in the selected lines carry 12% UK duty from China; heading 6302 spans 6% to 12%. Fibre content must be labelled, and only safe consumer products may be supplied in Great Britain. Specify the intended use, fabric and washed size before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources muslin baby cloths.
Duty depends on fibre and intended use
Heading 6302 covers bed linen, table linen, toilet linen and kitchen linen. This guide focuses on muslin baby cloths used for washing and wiping. The table gives potential washing-cloth classifications by fibre, rather than treating every product sold as muslin as the same goods. Describe larger wraps and bedding separately.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 6 October 2026, the selected woven washing-cloth lines carried 12% duty for goods from China. The wider heading includes nonwoven man-made-fibre lines at 6%, which are different from woven muslin. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls.
Confirm the commodity code against the intended use, fibre composition and construction before ordering. For related baby products, see the baby and nursery sourcing guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton washing cloths, not terry or hand-printed batik | 6302 91 00 90 | 12% | None |
| Woven washing cloths of man-made fibres | 6302 93 90 00 | 12% | None |
| Flax washing cloths | 6302 99 10 00 | 12% | None |
| Washing cloths of other textile materials, excluding flax and ramie | 6302 99 90 90 | 12% | None |
Specify the muslin fabric and washed size
Agree fibre composition, weave, layer construction, fabric weight, finished dimensions and acceptable change after washing. Record whether dimensions refer to the supplied or washed cloth. Approve a sample for softness, absorbency, print placement and hem construction, then retain it for comparison with production.
The label must show fibre content. Only safe consumer products may be supplied in Great Britain. Keep the intended use clear in the specification and packaging, and ask the supplier for evidence tied to the actual fabric, dyes and finished construction. Agree wash trials and checks for loose threads or detachable decorations before production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 5,000 cotton muslin baby washing cloths, illustrative only under 6302 91 00 90, invoiced at £7,500 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £8,400. Duty at 12% is £1,008. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,408, so it is £1,881.60. Import taxes total £2,889.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,008 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fabric: compare weave, layers, weight, softness and absorbency with the approved sample.
Washing: measure before and after the agreed wash trial; check distortion, colour bleeding and print fading.
Edges: inspect hems, corners and seams for fraying, loose threads and exposed or broken stitching.
Labels and packing: compare fibre labels and pack contents with the specification; check for dampness, odour and contamination.
What goes wrong
A sample feels soft and absorbs water, but production uses a different yarn or finish. Cloths shrink unevenly, layers twist, hems turn stiff after washing, and dark prints transfer colour. Compare washed production samples with the approved sample rather than accepting the feel of an unwashed cloth.
Descriptions such as bamboo muslin leave the actual fibre unclear. Ask for the fibre composition before approving labels. Keep small wiping cloths and larger wraps as separate specifications so that dimensions, intended use and classification are reviewed for each product.
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 muslin baby cloths from China?
The selected woven washing-cloth lines carry 12%. Heading 6302 ranges from 6% to 12%, with no trade remedies listed in the supplied record. Confirm the code for the actual fibre and use.
What should a muslin baby cloth label show?
The label must show fibre content. Agree the actual composition before approving artwork; a description such as bamboo muslin does not tell the buyer the precise fibre composition.
How do I check muslin cloths before shipment?
Compare production with the approved sample, run the agreed wash trial, measure shrinkage and distortion, check absorbency and colour transfer, and inspect hems and loose threads.
Can I use the same specification for cloths and swaddle wraps?
Use separate specifications for wiping cloths and larger wraps. Record intended use, dimensions, fabric and construction, then confirm classification for each product.