Sourcing straw pork pie hats from China

Duty on plaited straw pork pie hats

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 6504 covers hats and other headgear plaited or assembled from strips, whether lined or trimmed. Finished plaited straw pork pie hats fall within 6504 00 00 00. The table shows buying variants under the same commodity line, rather than separate tariff classifications.

The supplied facts show 0% duty for goods from China, no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. Import controls cover CITES, cat and dog fur, and seal products; export controls also flag CITES and cat and dog fur. Confirm with the relevant authority or your customs broker the restrictions on importing or selling cat and dog fur products in Great Britain. Seal products imported for trade require a seal catch certificate. Specify no fur or seal trim, and ask your customs broker to confirm species-specific CITES requirements for the China shipment.

Confirm the commodity code using the actual straw material, plaited construction and finished hat sample. The straw hats and plaited headgear guide covers the wider heading.

Specify the flat crown and curled brim

Specify the straw species, natural or dyed finish, plait width, crown height, flat crown top, surrounding crown crease, brim width and upward curl. Record the internal head circumference and agreed measurement tolerances. State whether the hat is made from sewn plaited strips and identify any stiffener, coating or adhesive.

Approve a physical sample with the ribbon band, bow position, sweatband and lining fitted. Agree the acceptable variation in straw colour and texture, and specify carton supports that protect the crown crease and brim curl. Compare production pieces with the retained sample.

Consumer hats supplied in Great Britain must be safe. Check exposed straw ends, rough inner seams and loose trim as part of the product review. Keep the material specification and sample assessment with the order records.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative mixed-size order of ribbon-trimmed plaited straw pork pie hats for an independent retailer under 6504 00 00 00, invoiced at £7,500 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £8,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £8,400, so it is £1,680. 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

Shape and fit: measure head circumference, crown height and brim width; compare the flat top, crown crease and brim curl with the approved sample.

Straw and joins: check for broken plaits, sharp ends, open strip joins, uneven stitching, glue marks and patches of inconsistent dye.

Bands and lining: check ribbon alignment, bow attachment, sweatband stitching and lining fit; rub the dyed band and straw to check for colour transfer.

Packing and arrival: check for dampness, mould, musty odour, crushed crowns and flattened brims. Compare size and colour assortments with the packing list and record findings through quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A pork pie sample can have a crisp crown crease while production hats arrive rounded or uneven. Changes in plait tension, stiffening or sweatband placement can alter both appearance and fit. Check hats after unpacking, since tightly nested pieces can hide distorted brims.

Damp packing can leave straw stained or musty, while brittle plaits split around sewn joins. Paper strips can also be substituted for the agreed straw. Compare the material declaration and physical construction with the approved sample before accepting the batch.

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.