Sourcing high-tenacity nylon yarn from China

Zero duty on nylon high-tenacity yarn

Heading 5402 covers synthetic filament yarn other than sewing thread, not put up for retail sale. Nylon high-tenacity yarn, whether or not textured, falls within 5402 19 00 00; aramid high-tenacity yarn has a separate line. The other nylon rows below are classification comparisons, rather than alternative codes for yarn confirmed as high tenacity.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 October 2026, the supplied China tariff data shows 0% duty for 5402 19 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, suspension or attached import control. The comparison lines also carry 0% duty. Import VAT is separate from customs duty.

Provide the broker with the polymer, filament construction, tenacity results, twist, texturing and packaging details to confirm the commodity code. See the wider synthetic filament yarn guide for neighbouring products.

Specify strength, shrinkage and winding

Specify the nylon grade, linear density, filament count, tenacity, elongation at break, twist direction and level, and whether the yarn is textured. Agree shrinkage testing conditions and acceptance limits for the intended weaving, knitting or cord-making process. Describe lustre, colour, finish and oil pick-up rather than accepting a supplier's generic high-tenacity description.

Agree package dimensions, net yarn weight, winding density, core type and tail presentation against your machinery. Keep approved samples and require batch test results tied to the shipped lot. Trial the yarn through the intended process before accepting bulk production.

Textile labels must show fibre content. REACH restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on substances being placed on the market or used. Ask the supplier to identify dyes and finishes, then agree which chemical checks are relevant to the yarn and its intended use.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative bulk consignment of high-tenacity nylon filament yarn on industrial packages under 5402 19 00 00, invoiced at £29,000 free on board, with £2,600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £31,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £31,600, so it is £6,320. 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

Strength: compare lot results and sampled-package tests for tenacity and elongation with the agreed specification; confirm that reports identify the shipped batch.

Density and shrinkage: check linear density and filament count, then test shrinkage under the agreed conditions rather than comparing results from different methods.

Winding: inspect package build, crushed cores, loose layers, damaged edges and broken filaments; run an unwinding trial on the buyer's equipment.

Identity and condition: reconcile batch labels, fibre content and net weights with the order; inspect cartons for damp, contamination and mixed lots.

What goes wrong

A high-tenacity description alone leaves the buyer without an agreed strength target or test method. Yarn may meet a supplier's own specification yet fail your process trial. Uneven winding, broken filaments and inconsistent oil pick-up can cause tension variation and machine stops.

Mixed batches can dye differently, while shrinkage differences can disrupt downstream processing. Keep batch identity through storage and production, retain samples, and hold suspect packages for investigation before mixing them into the accepted stock.

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.