Sourcing nonwoven fabrics from China
Nonwoven fabrics from China, including spunbond, meltblown, spunlace and needle-punched nonwovens of man-made filaments or other fibres, coated or not, in every weight band, pay 4% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. The end use drives the rules: nonwovens for medical products, food contact, hygiene or construction each bring their own evidence. Cambridge China Bridge sources them.
Spunbond, meltblown, spunlace and needle-punched nonwovens, coated or not, pay 4% UK duty from China. Specification, REACH and end-use rules explained.
A flat 4%
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, nonwovens of man-made filaments and other nonwovens of heading 5603, weighing up to 25 g/m², 25 to 70 g/m², 70 to 150 g/m² or more than 150 g/m², coated, covered or not, carried 4% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Finished products made from nonwoven, such as bags, masks and wipes, have their own codes; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Man-made filament, up to 25 g/m², other | 5603 11 90 90 | 4% | None |
| Man-made filament, 25 to 70 g/m², coated, other | 5603 12 10 90 | 4% | None |
| Man-made filament, 70 to 150 g/m², coated, other | 5603 13 10 90 | 4% | None |
| Man-made filament, over 150 g/m², coated | 5603 14 10 00 | 4% | None |
| Other nonwovens, 25 to 70 g/m², other | 5603 92 90 90 | 4% | None |
| Other nonwovens, 70 to 150 g/m², other | 5603 93 90 90 | 4% | None |
| Other nonwovens, over 150 g/m², other | 5603 94 80 90 | 4% | None |
End use sets the evidence
Nonwovens for masks, gowns and drapes need the evidence the finished medical or PPE product must meet; those in contact with food need food contact evidence; and geotextiles and roofing underlays may be construction products. Ask for a UK REACH statement on binders, finishes and flame retardants in every case.
Specification
Specify process (spunbond, meltblown, spunlace, needle-punched or SMS), polymer, weight per square metre and tolerance, width, roll length, tensile strength, colour, and any hydrophilic, antistatic or UV treatment.
Inspection
At inspection, weigh test cuts across the width, check for holes, thin spots and contamination, and measure roll dimensions.
Cambridge China Bridge sources spunbond, meltblown, spunlace and needle-punched nonwovens, with specification and end-use evidence settled before the order. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on nonwoven fabric from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, nonwovens of heading 5603 carried 4% duty from China in every weight band.
Does the weight band change the duty?
No. It changes the commodity code, but every line carried 4% on 25 September 2026.
Which rules apply to nonwovens?
Those of the end use: medical, PPE, food contact or construction, plus UK REACH on binders and finishes.
Are nonwoven bags classified here?
No. Finished articles such as bags, masks and wipes have their own codes.