Sourcing polyester birdseye from China

A flat 8% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the synthetic-fibre lines within heading 6006 carry 8% duty for goods from China. These cover polyester birdseye knitted fabric classified here, whether unbleached or bleached, dyed, made from differently coloured yarns, or printed. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or import control on these lines.

Heading 6006 covers other knitted or crocheted fabrics. Birdseye is a fabric description, so confirm the knitting construction, fibre composition, width and elastane content before choosing the commodity code. Knits over 30 cm wide with 5% or more elastane belong in heading 6004. For wider coverage of heading 6006, see the cotton piqué knitted fabric guide.

The order values below are illustrative, not a supplier quotation. Use the UK import duty and VAT guide to understand the calculation.

Specify the birdseye structure and finish

Approve a physical sample showing the birdseye pattern, its scale, the face and reverse, and the required opacity. Specify polyester content, any elastane, yarn type, mass per square metre, usable width after finishing, stretch and recovery, colour and roll identification. Agree measurable tolerances with the mill rather than ordering by the name birdseye alone.

For sportswear, specify whether a wicking finish is required and agree how its performance will be checked after washing. Compare snagging, pilling and handle on the approved sample and bulk fabric. Ask for a sewn and washed sample before approving fabric for cutting.

Fabric sold by the metre to consumers must show its fibre composition; confirm the fibre names to use with Trading Standards. For garment production, verify the mill's composition declaration before using it for garment labels. Confirm the applicable UK REACH restrictions on azo dyes and aromatic amines with HSE; request relevant chemical test reports for dyed or printed fabric intended for sportswear.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 8,000 metres of dyed polyester birdseye knitted fabric under 6006 32 00 00, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £13,200. Duty at 8% is £1,056. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £14,256, so it is £2,851.20. Import taxes total £3,907.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,056 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Structure and surface: compare the birdseye pattern and both faces with the approved sample; inspect for missed stitches, needle lines, holes, snags and uneven texture.

Weight and width: measure mass per square metre and usable width across sampled rolls; reconcile roll lengths and batch identifiers with the packing list.

Colour and print: compare rolls and edge-to-centre shade against the approved colour sample; check washing and rubbing fastness, and stretch printed areas to check for cracking.

Wash performance: measure shrinkage and twisting after the agreed wash cycle; compare recovery, pilling and any specified wicking performance with the approved sample. Record results through the quality inspection process.

What goes wrong

A similar-looking birdseye can have a different weight, openness or reverse surface. Narrow rolls disrupt cutting plans, and shade changes between dye lots leave mismatched panels. Loose surface loops snag during handling, while needle faults can run along a roll.

Finishing can change handle, width and stretch. A fabric that feels suitable before washing may shrink, twist or lose the agreed moisture-management performance afterwards. Keep an approved sample, check arrival samples before bulk cutting, and separate rolls with unresolved faults or shade differences.

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.