Sourcing nonwoven waxing strips from China
Uncoated nonwoven waxing strips have a candidate UK duty rate of 6% under heading 6307; the heading ranges from 6% to 12%. Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe. Specify the fabric and test it with the intended wax before approving bulk production. Cambridge China Bridge sources nonwoven waxing strips.
UK duty and tariff controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 6307 covers other made-up textile articles. For finished, uncoated nonwoven waxing strips, 6307 90 98 20 is the candidate line at 6% for goods from China. The table shows pack and size variants under that same line, rather than different commodity codes. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure is recorded.
The recorded suspension concerns textile face masks, so do not apply it to waxing strips. The line attaches supplementary-unit reporting, CITES import and export controls, a torture-and-repression import prohibition and an export restriction. CITES-listed species need permit checks; listed torture goods are prohibited from import or export. Ask your customs broker to confirm applicability and supplementary-unit requirements for the actual strips from China.
Confirm the commodity code using the finished sample, fibre composition, construction and whether wax is already applied. This guide covers uncoated strips used with separately supplied wax. For the wider product family, see beauty and personal care sourcing.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncoated nonwoven waxing strips, body size | 6307 90 98 20 | 6% | None |
Specify the strip and the wax together
State the fibre blend, fabric weight, strip dimensions, cutting tolerances, surface texture and pack count. Ask whether the fabric has coatings, fragrance or other treatments. Keep an approved reference sample and record the intended wax and application method.
Compare samples for wax grip, tearing, stretching and fibre release using the intended wax in a controlled trial. A soft sample can still stretch or split during removal. Agree acceptance criteria for both fabric directions and check that stacked strips separate cleanly.
Consumer strips supplied in Great Britain must be safe. Include safety assessment in sample approval rather than treating appearance as sufficient. Ask for proposed instructions and pack artwork before approving production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 6,000 packs of uncoated nonwoven waxing strips; illustrative order and values under 6307 90 98 20, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,800. Duty at 6% is £588. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,388, so it is £2,077.60. Import taxes total £2,665.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £588 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fabric: compare fibre blend, weight, texture and opacity with the approved sample; look for thin patches, contamination and loose fibres.
Cutting: measure finished strips and check straight edges, consistent size and clean separation without attached fibres.
Performance: check wax grip, tearing and stretching against the agreed trial method using retained bulk samples.
Packing: count strips, check size separation and inspect packs for moisture, odour and damage. Record batch references and retain samples for quality inspection.
What goes wrong
A factory can match the dimensions while changing the fibre blend or bonding process. The resulting strip may stretch, tear or leave fibres in the wax. Compare bulk material with the retained sample and investigate changes before accepting the shipment.
Poor cutting leaves joined strips or ragged edges; compressed or damp packs can be difficult to separate. Treat pre-waxed strips as a separate specification and classification review. Do not use an uncoated-strip sample to approve a product containing wax.
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 nonwoven waxing strips from China?
The candidate line for finished uncoated nonwoven strips, 6307 90 98 20, carries 6% in the supplied tariff reading. Confirm classification before shipment; the recorded face-mask suspension does not cover waxing strips.
Are pre-waxed strips covered by this guide?
This guide covers uncoated nonwoven strips used with separate wax. For pre-waxed strips, review the formulation, finished product and classification before ordering.
How do I check whether waxing strips tear?
Trial samples with the intended wax and removal method. Compare tearing, stretching and fibre release in both fabric directions, then repeat the agreed checks on bulk samples.
What should I put in a waxing-strip factory brief?
Include fibre blend, fabric weight, dimensions, cutting tolerances, treatments, intended wax, pack count and acceptance criteria. Supply an approved reference sample and proposed pack artwork.