Sourcing rib trims and narrow knits from China
Knitted or crocheted fabrics up to 30 cm wide from China, such as rib trim for cuffs and waistbands, collar strips and narrow raschel lace, pay 0% UK duty on all six lines of heading 6003, with no anti-dumping duty. Two lines carry a CITES check. Buyers check width, stretch and recovery, shade matching to the body fabric and shrinkage.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 6003 covers knitted or crocheted fabrics of a width not exceeding 30 cm, other than those of headings 6001 and 6002. All six lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. The lines for wool and fine animal hair and for other fibres carry a CITES import control, answered by declaring that no protected species are used.
Wider knitted fabrics are covered in our knitted fabrics guide, and lace in the piece in our lace and tulle guide; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knitted fabrics up to 30 cm wide, of wool or fine animal hair | 6003 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Knitted fabrics up to 30 cm wide, of cotton | 6003 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Raschel lace up to 30 cm wide, of synthetic fibres | 6003 30 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other knitted fabrics up to 30 cm wide, of synthetic fibres | 6003 30 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Knitted fabrics up to 30 cm wide, of artificial fibres | 6003 40 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other knitted fabrics up to 30 cm wide | 6003 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specifying rib and trims
Specify fibre and composition including elastane, width, weight, rib structure (1x1, 2x2), stretch and recovery, colour matched to the body fabric under the agreed light source, shrinkage, and colour fastness. Garments sold to consumers need fibre composition labels under the Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations 2012, so the trim content must be known.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20,000 metres of cotton rib trim for sweatshirt cuffs under 6003 20 00 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,500, so it is £1,300. 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
Width and stretch: measure width and test stretch and recovery on samples.
Shade: compare with the body fabric under the agreed light source.
Shrinkage: wash-test samples and check dimensional change. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Trim orders fail on shade, stretch and shrinkage. Rib does not match the body fabric, cuffs lose recovery after washing, and trims shrink more than the garment.
Cambridge China Bridge sources trims and fabrics for UK apparel brands from small runs; see small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on rib trim from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, knitted fabrics up to 30 cm wide under heading 6003 carried 0% from China.
When is a knitted fabric in heading 6003?
When it is no wider than 30 cm and not a pile or elastic fabric of headings 6001 and 6002.
Why do some lines have a CITES check?
The wool and other-fibre lines carry a CITES control; declare that no protected species are used.
How do I stop rib cuffs losing shape?
Specify elastane content and recovery, and wash-test samples before bulk production.