Sourcing polyester-cotton spun yarn from China
Polyester-cotton spun yarn from China under heading 5509 pays 4% UK duty across the relevant lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty listed. Classification follows composition and construction, and textile fibre content labelling rules apply. Cambridge China Bridge sources polyester-cotton spun yarn.
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UK duty on polyester-cotton spun yarn
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 5509 covers yarn of synthetic staple fibres, other than sewing thread, not put up for retail sale. The relevant polyester-cotton lines all carry 4% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff records list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for these lines.
Code 5509 53 00 00 covers other polyester staple yarn mixed mainly or solely with cotton. Single and folded versions share that code, so the table shows both constructions. Yarn containing 85% or more polyester staple falls under the separate single or folded and cabled lines shown.
Confirm the commodity code using the tested fibre composition, construction and packaging rather than the name polycotton alone. For related blends within the wider heading, see polyester-viscose blended spun yarn.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single polyester staple yarn mixed mainly or solely with cotton | 5509 53 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Single polyester-cotton yarn containing at least 85% polyester staple | 5509 21 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Folded or cabled polyester-cotton yarn with at least 85% polyester staple | 5509 22 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the blend and spinning construction
Write down the polyester and cotton proportions, yarn count and its measurement system, single or folded construction, spinning method, twist direction, twist level and intended knitting or weaving use. Agree tolerances for count, strength, elongation, evenness, hairiness and imperfections against an approved sample.
For dyed yarn, specify shade, dye-lot identification and colour fastness expectations. Agree net yarn weight per cone, cone dimensions, winding and carton identification. Textile labelling rules require fibre content to be shown. Compare the declared blend with a composition test; arrange testing and certification support where needed.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial consignment of polyester-cotton spun yarn on cones for a small knitting business under 5509 53 00 00, invoiced at £2,400 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,600. Duty at 4% is £144. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,744, so it is £748.80. Import taxes total £892.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £144 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Composition: test yarn sampled from different cartons against the declared polyester-cotton blend and approved specification.
Yarn performance: check count, twist, breaking strength, evenness and hairiness; knit or weave a trial panel on the intended machinery.
Shade: compare cones against the approved shade under consistent lighting and check that dye lots are identified and kept separate.
Packing: check net yarn weight, winding, damaged cones, damp cartons and batch identification. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspection.
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What goes wrong
An incorrect blend changes fabric handle and dye uptake. Count variation changes fabric weight, while uneven twist, weak yarn and poor winding cause breaks during production. Mixed dye lots can produce visible barring even when individual cones look similar.
Keep an approved yarn sample and trial fabric for comparison. Investigate mismatched composition reports, shade differences and damp packing before releasing the lot into production; separate suspect cartons so their yarn is not mixed with accepted stock.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on polyester-cotton spun yarn from China?
The relevant heading 5509 lines carry 4% duty in the supplied tariff records, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Do single and folded polyester-cotton yarn use different codes?
Both can use 5509 53 00 00. Yarn containing 85% or more polyester staple has separate single and folded or cabled lines. Confirm the composition before selecting the code.
What should I test before using imported polyester-cotton yarn?
Check fibre composition, count, twist, strength, evenness and hairiness. For dyed yarn, check shade and colour fastness, then knit or weave a trial panel.
Does polyester-cotton yarn need fibre content labelling?
Textile labelling rules require fibre content to be shown. Check that the declared polyester-cotton composition agrees with the supplied yarn.