Sourcing nonwoven fusible interlining from China
Nonwoven fusible interlining from China under heading 5603 pays a flat 4% UK duty across the relevant weight bands. Check UK REACH restrictions for the adhesive and finishes, and prove bonding performance on your actual outer fabric before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources nonwoven fusible interlining.
A flat 4% for ordinary interlining rolls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 October 2026, heading 5603 covers nonwovens, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated. For fusible interlining, establish whether the base uses man-made filaments or other fibres, its finished weight per square metre and its coating construction. The table lists coated categories to discuss with your customs broker.
The listed lines carry 4% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded. Some carry a 0.00 % suspension restricted to surgical or medical protective garments; ordinary garment interlining rolls do not qualify on that description. No import controls are recorded on the selected lines.
Confirm the commodity code using the fibre construction, coating description and finished weight, rather than the supplier's product name alone. The wider nonwoven fabrics guide covers other products within this heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coated man-made filament nonwoven, not more than 25 g/m², other | 5603 11 10 90 | 4% | None |
| Coated man-made filament nonwoven, over 25 to 70 g/m², other | 5603 12 10 90 | 4% | None |
| Coated man-made filament nonwoven, over 70 to 150 g/m², other | 5603 13 10 90 | 4% | None |
| Other coated nonwoven, not more than 25 g/m², other | 5603 91 10 90 | 4% | None |
| Other coated nonwoven, over 25 to 70 g/m², other | 5603 92 10 90 | 4% | None |
| Other coated nonwoven, over 70 to 150 g/m² | 5603 93 10 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the adhesive and the fabric it will bond to
Specify base fibre composition, manufacturing process, finished weight and tolerance, width, roll length, colour and handle. Identify the adhesive polymer, coating pattern and coating weight separately. Agree the fusing temperature, pressure, dwell time and cooling method with the supplier, using your production equipment and actual outer fabric.
Approve fused samples for bond strength, drape, shrinkage and adhesive strike-through after the intended washing or dry-cleaning process. Ask for a UK REACH statement covering the adhesive, binder and finishes. UK REACH restrictions can limit, ban or impose conditions on substances being placed on the market or used; check which restrictions apply to the supplied formulation.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 tonnes of coated nonwoven fusible interlining in rolls under 5603 92 10 90, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £2,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £16,200. Duty at 4% is £648. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £16,848, so it is £3,369.60. Import taxes total £4,017.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £648 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Base fabric: measure finished weight across the width, check width and roll length, and compare colour, thickness and handle with the approved sample.
Adhesive coating: inspect dot coverage, bare patches, loose powder and contamination; compare coating weight and distribution with the agreed specification.
Fused performance: fuse samples to the buyer's outer fabric under the agreed settings; check peeling, bubbling, shrinkage and strike-through before and after the agreed care process.
Roll condition: check joins, winding tension, crushed cores and moisture damage; match roll batch references to reports. Record findings through quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A sample can bond well while bulk rolls fail because the adhesive grade, coating weight or base fabric changes. Uneven coating leaves weak areas; excessive adhesive can show through a light outer fabric. Different shrinkage between the interlining and outer fabric can cause puckering, while an unsuitable adhesive can lose its bond during garment care.
Keep an approved fused panel and the settings used to make it. Test incoming rolls against that panel before cutting production stock, and ask the factory to investigate any change in bond, handle or shrinkage against the batch records.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on nonwoven fusible interlining from China?
Ordinary interlining rolls classified in the selected heading 5603 lines carry 4% duty from China. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure is recorded in the supplied tariff extract.
Which commodity code applies to fusible interlining?
The code depends on filament or other fibre construction, finished weight and coating. Give your customs broker the technical specification and a sample; the name 'fusible interlining' alone is insufficient.
How do I check whether the interlining will stay bonded?
Fuse it to your actual outer fabric using agreed production settings. Compare peeling, bubbling, shrinkage and appearance before and after the intended washing or dry-cleaning process.
What chemical evidence should I request?
Ask for a UK REACH statement covering the adhesive, binder and finishes, supported by formulation information and relevant test reports for the material supplied.