Sourcing nylon flocking fibres from China

2% duty on nylon flocking fibres

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, heading 5601 covers wadding and articles of wadding, textile fibres not exceeding 5 mm in length, textile dust and mill neps. This guide covers loose nylon flocking fibres. The table shows product variants sharing the same tariff line, rather than separate commodity codes.

Nylon flock falls under 5601 30 00 90 at 2% duty from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no attached import controls. Its 0.00 % suspension applies only to the specifically named copolymer staple fibre, excludes mixtures and does not cover ordinary nylon flock.

Confirm the commodity code using the fibre composition, cut length and supplied form. Finished flocked fabric is a different product from loose flock. See the wadding, cotton wool and flock guide for the wider heading.

Specify the nylon cut and application finish

Specify the polyamide type, cut length and tolerance, linear density, colour reference and permitted contamination. State whether the flock is intended for electrostatic or mechanical application. Agree moisture condition, packaging and storage instructions, and retain an approved sample from the material used in your application trial.

For electrostatic flock, agree conductivity and flow checks under defined conditioning. Trial the material with your actual adhesive, substrate and equipment. Assess coverage, fibre orientation, handle, shedding and colour transfer after the intended cleaning process.

UK REACH applies generally to substances on their own, in mixtures and in articles; restrictions can limit or prohibit their manufacture, sale or use. Ask for dye and finish composition information and check applicable restrictions against the intended use. Where exposure to harmful substances cannot be prevented, adequate controls are required. Include bag opening and flock application in your workplace exposure assessment.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 2 tonnes of bagged dyed nylon flocking fibres, illustrative order under 5601 30 00 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 2% is £324. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £16,524, so it is £3,304.80. Import taxes total £3,628.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £324 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Fibre and cut: compare composition records, cut-length distribution and linear density with the order; inspect for long fibres, dust and foreign fibres.

Colour and finish: compare conditioned samples with the approved colour reference; check shade consistency between bags and repeat the agreed conductivity and flow checks.

Application: flock a trial panel with the agreed adhesive and substrate; inspect coverage, orientation, shedding and colour transfer.

Packing and identity: check net contents, dry sealed liners and batch identification; retain samples linked to the supplier's production records.

What goes wrong

Mixed cut lengths give an uneven pile. Excess dust changes the surface and increases handling mess. Damp or poorly conditioned flock can clump and apply unevenly, while inconsistent treatment can leave thin patches during electrostatic application. Shade drift and colour transfer may only appear after application or cleaning.

A loose-fibre sample does not show how the finished surface will perform. Approve a flocked panel made with your intended process, repeat that trial on delivered material and keep batch samples. Use the inspection guide to agree checks before dispatch.

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.