Sourcing PEN tyre cord fabric from China

PEN tyre cord fabric: 0% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 6 October 2026, heading 5902 covers tyre cord fabric of high-tenacity nylon or other polyamide, polyester or viscose rayon yarn. PEN is a polyester, so this guide shows only the applicable polyester lines. Both carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for these lines.

Rubber-impregnated polyester tyre cord fabric falls under 5902 20 10 00; other polyester tyre cord fabric falls under 5902 20 90 00. Do not select the rubber-impregnated line solely because the supplier calls the fabric dipped. Confirm the treatment and commodity code using the composition and finishing details. See the wider tyre cord fabric guide for other fibres.

Specify PEN yarn and compound compatibility

Write out poly(ethylene naphthalate) in the purchase specification rather than accepting a generic polyester description. Ask for yarn producer and grade records linked to the fabric lot. Specify yarn linear density, twist, cord density, weft construction, usable width, roll length and finish. Agree breaking strength, elongation, heat shrinkage and adhesion acceptance criteria with the laboratory methods and conditioning stated.

For dipped fabric, agree the adhesive treatment and test adhesion with your intended rubber compound and curing conditions. Ask for the finished fabric's chemical declaration covering the fibre and treatment. UK REACH restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on substances. Check applicable restrictions before supplying the fabric in Great Britain, and ask for a statement on substances of very high concern.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial consignment of PEN tyre cord fabric in rolls under 5902 20 90 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 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £15,200, so it is £3,040. 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

Identity: match yarn grade records, fabric lot certificates and roll labels to the agreed PEN specification; investigate any document that describes only generic polyester.

Mechanical properties: compare breaking strength, elongation and heat shrinkage with the agreed methods and conditioning; retain samples linked to each inspected lot.

Adhesion and fabric: test treated cord with your rubber compound, check dip pick-up, and inspect cord spacing, width, broken ends, knots and contamination.

Packing and storage: check sealed wrapping, dry roll cores, protected edges, lot identification and production dates against the agreed storage conditions and shelf life.

What goes wrong

A polyester description alone does not establish PEN identity. Unapproved yarn substitutions or changes in twist and heat treatment can leave a delivery outside the agreed performance specification. An adhesion result obtained with a different rubber compound or curing cycle does not establish suitability for your process.

Uneven treatment, moisture exposure and ageing can undermine adhesion even when the roll looks acceptable. Check arriving rolls against retained samples and lot results before releasing them into production. Define sampling and acceptance checks in the purchase order using the quality inspection guide.

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.