Sourcing nylon needle-punched felt from China
Nylon needle-punched felt from China carries a flat 6% UK duty across the relevant untreated and treated lines. The untreated line carries a cat and dog fur control: products containing that fur cannot be imported. Confirm fibre content and finish before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources nylon needle-punched felt.
A flat 6% duty on nylon needle-punched felt
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 5602 covers felt, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated. Untreated nylon needle-punched felt falls within needleloom felt of other textile materials, code 5602 10 19 00. Treated needleloom felt is listed under 5602 10 90 00. Both carry 6% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension listed.
The untreated line has cat and dog fur import and export controls attached. Imports and exports of that fur, and products made from it, are banned. Obtain a supplier composition declaration and confirm the customs declaration requirement with your broker. The supplied tariff data lists no attached controls for the treated needleloom line. The finish variants in the table share that treated code.
Confirm the manufacturing process, fibre composition and treatment with your broker before choosing the commodity code. For other fibres and felt-making methods, see the felt and felt sheets guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nylon needle-punched felt, not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated | 5602 10 19 00 | 6% | None |
| Impregnated nylon needle-punched felt | 5602 10 90 00 | 6% | None |
Specify nylon fibre, thickness and finish
State the nylon fibre grade, whether the felt is a blend, and whether virgin or recycled fibre is acceptable. Agree mass per unit area, thickness, width, roll length and tolerances. Describe the needle-punched construction and any impregnation, coating, backing or lamination separately. Keep an approved sample for comparison with production.
For filtration, specify air permeability and particle retention against your application; for cushioning or wear pads, specify compression recovery and abrasion performance. Test the sample under the intended temperature, moisture and chemical exposure. Ask for the dye, binder and coating details when reviewing applicable UK REACH restrictions, which can limit or ban substances or set conditions on their use or sale.
For felt sold to consumers or garment makers, check fibre-content labelling. The label must show fibre content, including fur and other animal parts. Arrange testing and certification support around the exact material and intended use.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 8 tonnes of untreated nylon needle-punched felt in rolls under 5602 10 19 00, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £15,500. Duty at 6% is £930. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £16,430, so it is £3,286. Import taxes total £4,216; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £930 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Composition: compare the batch declaration with the order and arrange fibre identification where substitution or blending would affect performance.
Weight and thickness: weigh cut samples and measure thickness across the width using the agreed measurement method and compression conditions.
Surface and finish: check shade, loose fibres, hard spots, holes and uneven needling; inspect coating coverage and backing adhesion where applicable.
Rolls and arrival condition: check width, usable length, winding, cores and wrapping; record dampness, odour, crushed edges and displaced roll layers before cutting.
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What goes wrong
A supplier may match thickness while supplying a lighter, less dense felt, or change the fibre blend without changing the product name. A soft sample can also perform differently after coating or lamination. Compare composition, weight and functional performance together rather than accepting thickness alone.
Loose fibres can contaminate an assembly, uneven needling can leave weak areas, and poor backing adhesion can cause separation during cutting. Agree acceptance criteria on the approved sample, inspect before dispatch and repeat the material checks on arrival before releasing rolls into 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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on nylon needle-punched felt from China?
The supplied tariff data records 6% for both untreated and treated needleloom felt, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension listed.
Does coated nylon needle-punched felt use the same code?
Untreated felt is listed under 5602 10 19 00; impregnated, coated, covered or laminated needleloom felt is listed under 5602 10 90 00. Confirm the actual construction and finish with your broker.
Why is there a cat and dog fur control on nylon felt?
The untreated tariff line covers other textile materials and has this control attached. Products made from cat or dog fur are banned. Confirm composition and the declaration requirement with your broker.
How do I check the felt before using a delivery?
Compare fibre composition, mass per unit area, thickness and finish with the approved sample. Check across the roll width, inspect winding and moisture damage, and trial the felt in your application.