Sourcing nylon brush monofilament from China

Zero duty and the monofilament boundary

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 5404 covers synthetic monofilament of 67 decitex or more, with no cross-sectional dimension exceeding 1 mm. Nylon brush monofilament meeting those limits falls within the other-monofilament line, 5404 19 00 90. The table shows product variants sharing that tariff line.

The supplied tariff record gives 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control recorded for that line. Zero customs duty does not remove import VAT. See UK import duty and VAT.

Confirm the commodity code using the polymer identity, measured cross-section and linear density. Monofilament exceeding 1 mm in cross-section falls outside this heading. For related products within the wider heading, see the polyester brush monofilament guide.

Specify nylon grade, stiffness and recovery

State the nylon grade, whether recycled material is permitted, diameter and tolerance, cross-sectional shape, colour, straight or crimped form, and spool or hank presentation. For cut lengths, specify length tolerance and end finish. Keep an approved filament sample and a brush made from it as the purchasing references.

Agree how to assess stiffness, bend recovery, breaking strength and elongation, including sample conditioning and whether the brush will be used wet or dry. Trial the filament on your feeding and tufting equipment. For food-contact brushes, request evidence covering the polymer and colourants for the intended use.

REACH restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on the placing on the market or use of substances. Ask the supplier to identify colourants and additives, then check applicable restrictions for the intended brush use. Arrange testing and certification around the actual material and application.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 120 kg of nylon brush monofilament on spools under 5404 19 00 90, invoiced at £1,800 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,000, so it is £600. 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

Dimensions: measure diameter and ovality along sampled spools or bundles; check cut length where supplied and compare results with the agreed tolerances.

Brush behaviour: compare stiffness and bend recovery with the approved sample under the agreed wet or dry conditions; check breaking strength and elongation.

Surface and colour: inspect for scratches, roughness and contamination; compare colour between bundles and against the approved reference.

Packing and feeding: check spool or bundle weight, winding and batch identification; run sampled material through your equipment to check tangling and feed consistency. Use the inspection guide to agree the checks.

What goes wrong

Diameter drift and ovality change how filaments pack into a tuft and how the brush feels. Material changes or inconsistent drawing can reduce strength and recovery. A sample assessed dry may not represent a brush used wet, so compare samples under the intended working conditions.

Uneven winding causes tangles during feeding, while mixed batches make shade and stiffness differences harder to trace. Keep lot identities separate on arrival and compare each lot with the retained sample before releasing it to production.

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.