Sourcing plaited straw trilbies from China

Duty and material controls

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 6504 covers hats plaited or assembled from strips, whether or not lined or trimmed. Plaited straw trilbies fall within this construction description. The supplied snapshot contains only the commodity line 6504 00 00 00, at 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension recorded.

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. Seal products imported into Great Britain for trade require a seal catch certificate. For listed species, CITES permit requirements apply. Confirm the materials, applicable exemptions and documents with your customs broker before ordering from China.

Confirm the commodity code using the actual straw material and construction. For another style within the wider heading, see plaited straw boater hats. Keep duty separate from import VAT when reviewing the import tax calculation.

Specify the trilby crown and brim

Name the straw species, plait width and joining method. Agree crown height, the centre crease and front pinch, brim width, front dip and rear upturn. Specify the finished internal circumference with the sweatband fitted. Approve a physical sample showing the ribbon width, bow position, colour and stiffness rather than relying on a photograph.

State the sweatband and lining materials, decoration attachment and packing method. Ask the factory to declare every animal-derived trim and identify the plant material. Consumer products should only be sold after compliance with product safety regulations has been demonstrated. Include checks for sharp straw ends and insecure decoration in the buying specification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 900 plaited straw trilby hats; illustrative order and values 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

Shape and fit: compare the crown crease, front pinch and brim profile with the approved sample; measure the internal circumference with the sweatband installed.

Plait and finish: check for broken strands, open joins, sharp ends, uneven dye, glue marks and loose ribbon stitching.

Sweatband and trim: check attachment, comfort and colour transfer under rubbing and perspiration; compare the materials with the approved specification.

Packing and arrival: open cartons from different positions in the shipment; check crushed crowns, distorted brims, dampness, mould and the size breakdown. Use an agreed inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A trilby can lose its shape when nested too tightly: the crown pinch flattens, the rear brim turns down and the ribbon leaves pressure marks. A tighter sweatband can also make a hat smaller than the approved sample. Trial the proposed packing with finished hats and check the shape after unpacking.

Brittle straw breaks at the brim edge, rough joins scratch the forehead and dark sweatbands can stain. Damp packing can leave mould and odour. Keep the approved sample and material specification available when assessing arrival defects, and record affected cartons before sorting the stock.

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.