Sourcing circular-knit swimwear fabric from China
Polyamide elastane circular-knit swimwear fabric from China carries 8% UK duty; heading 6004 ranges from 6% to 8%. Fabric sold to consumers must state its fibre composition. Check stretch recovery, wet opacity and chlorine performance before bulk cutting. Cambridge China Bridge sources polyamide elastane circular-knit swimwear fabric.
8% duty on polyamide elastane swimwear fabric
Heading 6004 covers knitted or crocheted fabrics wider than 30 cm containing at least 5% elastomeric yarn or rubber thread, excluding fabrics of heading 6001. Polyamide elastane circular-knit swimwear fabric meeting this description, without rubber thread, falls within the synthetic-fibre line 6004 10 00 10. The table shows product variants sharing this code, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, this line carries 8% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. The wider heading ranges from 6% to 8%. Its other line, 6004 90 00 00, attaches cat and dog fur import and export controls: such fur and products made from it are banned from import and export.
Confirm the commodity code using the actual fibre composition, elastane content, finished width and construction. For the wider heading, see the nylon elastane tricot fabric guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dyed polyamide elastane circular-knit swimwear fabric | 6004 10 00 10 | 8% | None |
Specify stretch, recovery and wet coverage
State polyamide and elastane composition, circular-knit construction, yarn details, mass per square metre, usable finished width and surface appearance. Agree stretch and recovery in each fabric direction, edge curl and dimensional change after washing. Keep an approved fabric sample and colour standard, and identify the face and cutting direction.
For swimwear, agree tests for shade and recovery after chlorinated-water exposure, colour fastness in seawater, and opacity when wet and stretched. Assess the fabric with the intended lining and seam construction. Ask the laboratory to propose methods and acceptance criteria for the intended use rather than accepting an unexplained chlorine-resistant claim.
Fabric sold by the metre to consumers must identify its fibre composition. Confirm the applicable fibre names and UK REACH chemical restrictions for textiles in prolonged skin contact with Trading Standards and HSE. Request composition verification and relevant chemical test reports for the dyed or printed quality through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 3,000 metres of dyed polyamide elastane circular-knit swimwear fabric under 6004 10 00 10, invoiced at £21,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £22,800. Duty at 8% is £1,824. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £24,624, so it is £4,924.80. Import taxes total £6,748.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,824 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Weight and width: measure usable width and mass per square metre across sampled rolls against the purchase specification; record roll identity, dye lot and measured length.
Stretch and coverage: compare extension and recovery in each direction with the approved sample; inspect wet, stretched fabric for transparency and printing that opens or cracks.
Shade and faults: compare rolls and edge-to-centre shade against the approved colour standard; inspect for barré, needle lines, holes, creases and print distortion.
Swim performance: review chlorine and seawater test results for the supplied quality and check recovery after exposure. Use the quality inspection guide to agree sampling and reporting before shipment.
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What goes wrong
A dry swatch can conceal poor wet coverage. Fabric may become transparent under stretch, retain a baggy shape after wear, or lose shade and recovery after pool exposure. Shade differences between rolls become visible when panels are joined, while print distortion can make the same motif look different across a swimsuit.
Narrow usable width, curling edges and needle faults disrupt cutting. Compare arrival samples with the approved fabric and test reports before releasing rolls for bulk cutting. Keep dye lots separate and record defects by roll so replacements can be matched to the affected material.
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 polyamide elastane swimwear fabric from China?
The relevant synthetic-fibre line, 6004 10 00 10, carries 8% duty in the supplied tariff reading, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension.
Does circular-knit fabric use a different code from tricot?
The relevant line does not distinguish circular knitting from tricot. Confirm composition, width, elastane content and absence of rubber thread before using 6004 10 00 10.
How do I check whether swimwear fabric becomes see-through?
Wet and stretch the sample under the intended garment conditions, with the proposed lining. Compare coverage with the approved sample before bulk cutting.
What should a chlorine-resistant fabric report show?
Ask for the tested fabric identity, exposure method, assessment criteria, shade change and stretch recovery. Check that the report covers the supplied quality rather than a different sample.