Sourcing polyester-linen fabric from China

A flat 8% duty on the relevant fabric lines

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 5515 covers other woven fabrics of synthetic staple fibres. This guide concerns polyester staple blended with linen, within the heading's scope of less than 85% synthetic staple fibre. The table gives candidate polyester other-blend codes for different finishes; dyed and yarn-dyed cloth share the same line. Confirm classification from the actual composition rather than the supplier's product name.

The relevant lines carry 8% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. It attaches CITES import and export controls to these lines. If the cloth contains material from a CITES-listed species, check the applicable permit requirements. For the specified polyester-linen blend, ask your customs broker to confirm how the attached control is satisfied rather than assuming a permit is required for every roll.

Send the broker the fibre analysis, confirmation that the polyester is staple fibre, and the bleaching, dyeing or printing details. Use finding your commodity code before ordering. Our polyester-viscose fabrics guide explains the wider heading.

Specify the linen content and slub appearance

Specify the polyester and linen proportions by weight, yarn construction, weave, mass per square metre, usable width and intended use. Distinguish actual linen fibre from a linen-look texture. Approve the handle, opacity and slub distribution on a retained sample, including examples of acceptable thick places and unacceptable weaving faults.

Agree the wash method, shrinkage allowance, colour reference, finish and roll identification. For clothing, test a sewn sample for seam opening and appearance after washing. Consumer textile labels must show fibre composition, so check the label against the composition report rather than copying the mill's sales description.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 8,000 metres of dyed polyester-linen staple blend fabric, illustrative only under 5515 19 90 00, invoiced at £16,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,200. Duty at 8% is £1,376. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £18,576, so it is £3,715.20. Import taxes total £5,091.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,376 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Composition: obtain fibre analysis for the shipment and compare the polyester and linen content with the order and proposed label.

Roll dimensions and surface: measure usable width and length; check weight, skew, missing yarns, holes and slubs against the approved sample.

Wash and seams: wash samples using the agreed method; check dimensional change, puckering, seam slippage and changes in handle before cutting.

Shade and packing: compare rolls and roll ends with the approved shade band; check rubbing colour transfer, roll identification, dampness and mildew on arrival. Use our quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A linen-look sample can conceal a different fibre blend. An attractive slub effect can also conceal missing yarns or uneven weaving. Define acceptable texture with physical samples, and retain shipment samples so a composition or appearance dispute can be checked against the order.

Wash shrinkage can distort cut panels, open weaves can pull apart at seams, and shade differences can become obvious when pieces are joined. Keep rolls separated by dye lot, wash-test before cutting and compare the bulk fabric with the approved sample while it is still possible to isolate affected rolls.

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.