Sourcing needle-felt stair treads from China
Needle-felt stair treads from China under heading 5704 carry 6% UK duty across the supplied lines, with no listed trade remedy. Consumer treads must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use; check backing grip, edge lift and the intended fitting method. Cambridge China Bridge sources needle-felt stair treads.
6% duty on needle-felt stair treads
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 16 November 2026, heading 5704 covers felt carpets and other textile floor coverings, not tufted or flocked, whether or not made up. All supplied lines carry 6% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
The supplied tariff record attaches a DCMS Export Licence note. Official guidance concerns exporting cultural objects from Great Britain to destinations outside the UK. Ask your customs broker to confirm whether any requirement attached to the entry applies to your China import.
The table gives candidate lines, not an automatic classification for every tread. Tile entries depend on the product qualifying as a tile; other lines distinguish hand-made goods. Confirm the commodity code using construction details, dimensions and photographs. See the wider needle-felt carpet and carpet tiles guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felt tiles up to 0.3 m², where the tread qualifies as a tile | 5704 10 00 00 | 6% | None |
| Non-hand-made felt tiles over 0.3 m² up to 1 m² | 5704 20 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Other hand-made felt floor coverings, including qualifying stair treads | 5704 90 00 10 | 6% | None |
| Other non-hand-made felt floor coverings, including qualifying stair treads | 5704 90 00 90 | 6% | None |
Specify the stair shape, backing and fitting method
State whether the tread lies on the horizontal step or wraps over the stair nose. Supply a drawing showing width, depth, corner shape, edge finish and any folded lip. Specify fibre composition, felt thickness, mass per unit area, colour and surface texture against an approved sample.
Separate loose-laid, removable adhesive and permanently bonded designs in the order. Name the intended stair surface and cleaning method. Test the complete tread on that surface for movement, edge lift, adhesive residue and backing separation. Agree what an anti-slip or removable claim means before approving packaging.
Consumer products sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. For textile flooring installed in buildings, check the declaration of performance, relevant marking and declared reaction to fire against the intended installation. CE marking remains available for construction products in Great Britain. Match the paperwork to the actual felt and backing.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 3,000 machine-made needle-felt stair treads; illustrative whole-pound FOB value and freight under 5704 90 00 90, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,500. Duty at 6% is £630. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £11,130, so it is £2,226. Import taxes total £2,856; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £630 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Shape and fit: compare sampled treads with the approved drawing and a representative stair; check nose coverage, corner shape, flatness and clearance from adjacent fittings.
Backing and adhesion: fit samples to the specified surface; check sideways movement, lifting edges, backing separation and residue after removal where removability is claimed.
Felt and finish: measure thickness and mass per unit area against the order; compare colour between cartons and inspect cut edges, binding, shedding and surface abrasion.
Documents and packing: match installation instructions and any fire paperwork to the supplied construction; check carton contents and inspect for creases, moisture and crushed edges on arrival. Use our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A tread can match the colour sample yet move on a polished stair, lift at the nose or leave adhesive behind. A backing change can alter grip and make the approved paperwork a poor match. Thin felt can pill or wear at the leading edge, while tightly packed treads may arrive curled.
Approve a complete fitted sample, including backing and edge finish, before production. Record agreed acceptance checks and repeat them on production samples before dispatch and on arrival. Keep affected cartons identifiable if shade, adhesion or shape differs.
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 needle-felt stair treads from China?
The supplied heading 5704 lines all carry 6% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
Are needle-felt and tufted stair treads in the same heading?
No. Heading 5704 covers felt floor coverings that are not tufted or flocked. Tufted carpets fall under heading 5703. Confirm construction before choosing the code.
Do needle-felt stair treads need fire paperwork?
For textile flooring installed in buildings, check the declaration of performance, marking and declared reaction to fire. Ensure the documents cover the supplied felt and backing.
How do I check whether adhesive stair treads will stay put?
Test complete samples on the intended stair surface. Check movement, edge lift and backing separation after use and cleaning, plus residue where removal is claimed.