Sourcing plaited straw Panama hats from China
Plaited straw Panama hats from China carry 0% UK import duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded. Cat and dog fur trims are prohibited, so confirm the material of every decoration before ordering. Approve the weave, fit and packing on a physical sample. Cambridge China Bridge sources plaited straw Panama hats.
Duty and material controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 6504 covers hats plaited or made by assembling strips of any material, whether lined or trimmed. Plaited straw Panama hats fall within this description. The supplied tariff record has a single commodity code, 6504 00 00 00, carrying 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure or suspension recorded. The table shows product variants sharing that code.
The tariff attaches CITES, cat and dog fur, and seal-product import controls, plus CITES and cat and dog fur export controls. Cat and dog fur and products made from it are banned from import and export. CITES-listed materials may require permits; identify the straw species and any animal decoration. Seal products imported into Great Britain for trade must have a seal catch certificate. For an order from China, have your customs broker confirm the applicable documents, exemption and admissibility before shipment.
Confirm the actual material and construction using finding your commodity code. Do not classify by the Panama style name alone. The plaited straw trilby guide covers related hats within the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plaited straw Panama hats, unlined and untrimmed | 6504 00 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the straw, Panama shape and fit
Name the actual straw or plant material rather than accepting a style name as a material description. Specify whether the body is plaited directly or assembled from strips, the weave appearance, colour, crown crease, crown height, brim width and edge finish. Identify any coating or stiffener, lining, ribbon and sweatband. Keep an approved physical sample for comparison.
Agree the finished internal circumference for each size, measured with the sweatband fitted, and the permitted variation. Define whether the brim is flat or turned and whether folding is intended. Trial the proposed nesting and crown supports in the shipping carton. General product safety rules aim to ensure that only safe products are supplied in Great Britain; check the sample for sharp straw ends and exposed fastening points.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 900 plaited straw Panama hats in assorted sizes, illustrative only 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 weave: compare the declared straw and decorations with the approved sample; check for substitutions, broken strands, open gaps, uneven plaiting, mould and discolouration.
Shape and fit: measure internal circumference, crown height and brim width against the specification; check the crown crease, brim symmetry and fit across the ordered sizes.
Sweatband and trim: check stitching, ribbon position, loose ends and glue marks; rub the sweatband with a damp white cloth to check colour transfer, and check for sharp fastening points.
Packing and arrival: open cartons from different positions in the shipment; check crown supports, crushed brims, dampness, carton counts and size labels. Record defects before releasing stock. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspector.
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What goes wrong
A sample can look correct while production uses coarser straw, a different stiffener or a tighter sweatband. Crowns lose their crease, brims become wavy, and broken strands scratch the forehead. Dark sweatbands can stain light straw. Compare production hats with the retained sample and measure the finished fit rather than relying on the size label.
Tight nesting can crush the crown or leave ribbon impressions; damp packing can lead to mould and staining. Trial the actual carton arrangement and inspect hats after unpacking. Describe the hat style separately from its material and manufacturing origin, and ask for supporting records before approving origin or sun-protection claims.
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 plaited straw Panama hats from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty under 6504 00 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded.
Does the Panama name tell me what the hat is made from?
Do not rely on the style name. Specify the actual straw or plant material, construction, stiffener and trims, and compare production with an approved physical sample.
Do straw Panama hats need CITES documents?
Check the species and decorations. The tariff attaches a CITES control; listed materials may require permits. Ask your customs broker to confirm the documents for the actual order.
How should Panama hats be packed?
Trial nesting with crown supports and enough clearance for the brim and ribbon. Check hats after unpacking for crushed crowns, pressure marks, dampness and mould.