Sourcing paper-machine forming fabrics from China
Paper-machine forming fabrics from China carry a flat 4% UK duty across the relevant lines, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Match the code to fibre, fabric mass and endless or linked construction, and check applicable UK REACH chemical restrictions. Cambridge China Bridge sources paper-machine forming fabrics.
A flat 4% on the relevant forming-fabric lines
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 5911 covers textile products and articles for technical uses. Its paper-machine fabric lines cover endless fabrics or fabrics fitted with linking devices. The table selects lines relevant to forming fabrics, distinguished by textile material and mass per square metre.
The selected lines carry 4% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for these lines. Suspensions elsewhere in heading 5911 concern other named products. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.
Send your customs broker the fibre composition, measured fabric mass, weave description and endless or linking-device construction to confirm the commodity code. Do not classify a forming fabric as a needled press felt merely because both run on paper machines. For that related product family within the heading, see paper-machine press felts.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woven forming fabrics of silk or man-made fibres, below 650 g/m² | 5911 31 11 00 | 4% | None |
| Paper-machine fabrics of other textile materials, below 650 g/m² | 5911 31 90 00 | 4% | None |
| Other paper-machine fabrics of silk or man-made fibres, 650 g/m² or more | 5911 32 19 00 | 4% | None |
| Paper-machine fabrics of other textile materials, 650 g/m² or more | 5911 32 90 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the forming position and fabric construction
Identify the machine and forming position, paper grade, furnish and operating conditions. Specify polymer, yarn diameter, weave and layer construction, finished width, running length and measurement tension. State the paper side, running direction, edge treatment and whether the fabric is endless or fitted with a linking seam.
Agree air permeability at a stated pressure, drainage performance, dimensional stability and acceptable surface marking. Compare samples using the same methods. Ask for a statement covering fibres, finishes and coatings: UK REACH generally applies to substances in articles, and its restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on substances placed on the market. Check the applicable restrictions before supply in Great Britain.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: a replacement endless polyester forming fabric below 650 g/m² under 5911 31 11 00, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £15,200. Duty at 4% is £608. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £15,808, so it is £3,161.60. Import taxes total £3,769.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £608 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: measure finished width and running length under the agreed tension against the machine drawing; check squareness, edge alignment and running-direction identification.
Construction: compare yarns, weave, layer arrangement and fabric mass with the approved sample; inspect for broken yarns, missing picks, distortion and damaged edges.
Permeability: test across the width and along the fabric using the agreed pressure and method; compare results with the accepted sample and batch report.
Seam and packing: check linking loops, pin fit and seam profile where supplied; inspect for creases, crushing and contamination on arrival. Record defects before installation using an agreed inspection checklist.
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What goes wrong
A fabric can match the quoted mesh description yet drain differently because yarn diameter or weave has changed. Uneven permeability can produce uneven sheet formation, while a prominent seam or damaged yarn can mark the paper. Wrong running length, skewed edges or excessive stretch can prevent satisfactory fitting and tracking.
Approve a construction sample and agree acceptance methods before production. Inspect the finished fabric before dispatch, then compare arrival condition with the inspection record. Assess drainage and sheet marking during a controlled machine trial before repeating the order; a sample permeability result alone does not establish performance on your furnish.
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 paper-machine forming fabrics from China?
The relevant paper-machine fabric lines carry 4% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty in the supplied tariff record.
Which commodity code covers polyester forming fabrics?
5911 31 11 00 covers qualifying woven paper-machine fabrics of man-made fibres below 650 g/m², endless or fitted with linking devices. Heavier fabrics need a different line; confirm construction and mass.
How do I compare forming-fabric samples?
Compare yarn diameter, weave, fabric mass and permeability using the same test pressure and method. Agree a machine trial to assess drainage, sheet marking and tracking with your actual furnish.
What chemical paperwork should I ask the factory for?
Ask for the fibre, finish and coating composition and a UK REACH statement covering the supplied grade. Check applicable substance restrictions rather than relying on a general factory declaration.