Sourcing plaited raffia hats from China

UK duty on plaited raffia hats

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 6504 covers hats and other headgear plaited or assembled from strips of any material, whether lined or trimmed. Plaited raffia hats under 6504 00 00 00 carry 0% duty from China. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The table shows different hat styles sharing the single commodity line.

The tariff attaches CITES, cat and dog fur, and seal-product import controls. Check the botanical identity of the raffia and the species of any animal trim. CITES-listed materials can require permits. Imports containing cat or dog fur are banned. Seal products imported into Great Britain for sale must qualify under the Inuit and other indigenous communities’ exemption. Have your customs broker confirm the applicable documents before ordering.

Confirm the commodity code using the construction, material and finished sample. For another product family within the wider heading, see plaited straw sun visors.

Specify the raffia, plait and hat shape

Specify natural raffia rather than accepting a supplier's generic straw description. Record the botanical identity, natural or dyed colour, plait width, weave openness, crown profile, brim width and edge finish. Identify any paper or synthetic substitution in the material schedule. Approve a physical sample showing the intended flexibility and surface texture.

Agree the internal head circumference, sweatband material, lining, decorative band attachment and packing method. Include checks for sharp fibre ends and exposed brim wire in the inspection brief.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 900 plaited raffia hats, illustrative order under 6504 00 00 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,900, so it is £1,980. 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

Material and colour: compare the raffia and trims with the approved sample; check brittle strands, uneven dye, stains, mould and colour transfer from the sweatband.

Plait and seams: check gaps, broken strands, loose stitching and joins around the crown; feel the inside and brim edge for sharp ends or exposed wire.

Shape and fit: measure head circumference, crown height and brim width against the specification; check symmetry and whether the brim recovers after unpacking.

Packing and arrival: open cartons from different positions in the shipment; check dampness, crushed crowns, distorted brims and trim detachment. Record findings through quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A sample can have an even plait while production hats use mixed strand widths, leaving gaps and uneven brims. Tight nesting can flatten crowns or mark decorative bands. Damp packing can leave musty odours and mould, while overly dry raffia can crack when handled.

Keep the approved sample and written material schedule available for inspection. Agree acceptable natural colour variation, check packing with finished hats, and inspect shape after unpacking. Treat changes to raffia, coatings, sweatbands or animal trims as changes requiring buyer review.

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.