Sourcing polyester and nylon fabrics from China
Woven fabrics of synthetic filament yarn from China, including polyester and nylon taffeta, oxford, chiffon and satin, whether unbleached, dyed, yarn-dyed or printed, pay 8% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. Dyes and finishes fall under UK REACH, including the azo dye restriction, and fabric sold to consumers needs fibre labelling. Cambridge China Bridge sources them.
Woven fabrics of synthetic filament yarn, such as polyester and nylon taffeta, oxford and chiffon, pay 8% UK duty from China. REACH and fibre labels explained.
A flat 8%
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, woven fabrics of high-tenacity nylon or polyester yarn, fabrics from strip, other woven fabrics of nylon, textured or other polyester filaments and other synthetic filaments, whether unbleached, dyed, of different colours or printed, carried 8% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Fabrics of staple fibre, knitted fabrics and coated fabrics are in other headings; confirm the commodity code from the yarn and construction.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-tenacity nylon or polyester fabrics | 5407 10 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Fabrics from strip, other | 5407 20 90 00 | 8% | None |
| Nylon fabrics, dyed | 5407 42 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Nylon fabrics, printed | 5407 44 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Textured polyester fabrics, dyed | 5407 52 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Other polyester fabrics, dyed | 5407 61 30 00 | 8% | None |
| Other synthetic filament fabrics, dyed | 5407 72 00 00 | 8% | None |
REACH and finishes
Entry 43 of Annex XVII to UK REACH restricts azo dyes that can release listed aromatic amines in textiles that come into direct and prolonged contact with skin. Water-repellent and flame-retardant finishes need checking against other restrictions too, so ask for a test report per colour; see UK REACH.
Specification and labels
Specify yarn denier and filament count, weave, width, weight per square metre, colour fastness, shrinkage and any coating. Fabric sold to consumers by the metre needs fibre content under the Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Names) Regulations 2012.
Inspection
At inspection, use a four-point fabric check, measure width and weight, and compare shade across rolls against the approved lab dip.
Cambridge China Bridge sources polyester and nylon woven fabrics, with dyes, finishes and shade control settled before the order. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on polyester fabric from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, woven fabrics of synthetic filament yarn, including polyester and nylon, carried 8% duty from China.
Which REACH rule matters most for dyed fabric?
Entry 43 of Annex XVII, which restricts azo dyes releasing listed aromatic amines in textiles in prolonged skin contact.
Is knitted polyester fabric in heading 5407?
No. Knitted fabrics are in chapter 60.
How is fabric quality checked?
With a four-point inspection, width and weight checks, and shade comparison against the approved lab dip.