Sourcing natural raffia fibre from China

Duty on natural raffia fibre

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 8 November 2026, heading 1401 covers vegetable materials used primarily for plaiting, including raffia. Natural raffia fibre comes within the “Other” line, 1401 90 00 00. Its duty from China is 0%, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension listed. The table shows packing forms under the same commodity line.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches an import control of organic products. The importer should confirm the requirement for raffia from China with their customs broker, including whether a certificate of inspection or removal of organic references is required. Separately, check Great Britain plant health requirements for the exact material and processing before shipping; do not assume that dried fibre is exempt.

Confirm the commodity code using the material, intended use and degree of processing. This guide concerns fibre for plaiting rather than finished articles. See the bamboo canes and rattan guide for the wider heading.

Specify strands, cleanliness and packing

Specify natural plant fibre rather than paper or plastic imitation raffia. Ask for the botanical identity, growing origin and processing location, alongside a declaration of any bleaching, dyeing, insecticide or preservative treatment. A Chinese supplier's address does not describe where the plant material was grown.

Agree usable strand length, width variation, flexibility, acceptable broken ends, colour range, cleanliness and moisture acceptance. Define whether supply is loose, in hanks, bundled or baled, and agree net weight and wrapping. Keep an approved sample and trial it in your actual tying or weaving process.

For consumer craft packs, products should only be sold once compliance with product safety regulations has been demonstrated appropriately. Include the intended use in your supplier brief and assess the packed product before offering it for sale.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: An illustrative wholesale stock order of bundled natural raffia fibre under 1401 90 00 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £12,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,000, so it is £2,400. 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

Identity: compare opened bundles with the approved natural fibre sample and check for paper or plastic substitution.

Strands: check usable length, width variation, broken ends and flexibility; trial knots or weaving with material from inside the pack.

Condition: inspect inside bundles for damp, mould, musty odour, insects, dust and foreign matter; compare moisture results with the agreed specification.

Packing: check net weight, wrapping and lot identification against the order, and match processing declarations and any required import documents to the shipment.

What goes wrong

A bundle can look acceptable outside but contain short, brittle or tangled strands inside. Excess damp can lead to mould and odour, while heavily compressed packing makes separation difficult. Mixed colour and strand grades produce uneven weaving and inconsistent retail packs.

Open packs during inspection and repeat the checks on arrival before mixing lots. Agree how rejected material will be handled and retain comparison samples. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspector.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.