Sourcing polyester needle-punched felt from China

A flat 6% duty on polyester needle felt

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 5602 covers felt, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated. Untreated polyester needleloom felt is covered by 5602 10 19 00; treated needleloom felt is covered by 5602 10 90 00. The table also identifies related other-felt alternatives, which should not be treated as needleloom classifications.

The supplied tariff data lists 6% duty for goods from China throughout this heading, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions. The untreated polyester needleloom line carries a cat and dog fur import control; the treated needleloom line lists no controls. Confirm the scope of any prohibition concerning cat and dog fur and products containing it, and the declaration requirement, with your customs broker and obtain the supplier's fibre declaration.

Confirm the commodity code using the manufacturing process, fibre composition and any coating or laminate. For other felt types, see the felt and felt sheets guide.

Specify the fibre web and roll finish

Specify polyester fibre composition, virgin or recycled fibre, weight per square metre, thickness, width, colour and roll length, with agreed tolerances. Describe the surface finish and any backing, impregnation or laminate. Keep an approved swatch and trial roll for comparison with production.

For technical uses, agree tensile strength, air permeability and temperature resistance against the intended application. For bonded felt, check adhesion and flexibility on the actual backing. Textile labels must show fibre content, including fur and other animal parts. For felt used in upholstered furniture, confirm applicable furniture fire safety requirements with the relevant authority; arrange application-specific testing and certification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 8 tonnes of polyester needle-punched felt in rolls under 5602 10 19 00, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £15,500. Duty at 6% is £930. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £16,430, so it is £3,286. Import taxes total £4,216; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £930 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Weight and thickness: cut and weigh samples across the width, measure thickness and compare with the agreed tolerances.

Fibre and finish: compare the composition declaration and approved sample; check surface fuzz, loose fibres and uneven bonding.

Colour and cleanliness: compare the approved shade, rub-test dark colours and check recycled grades for specks and odour.

Rolls and wrapping: check usable width, winding, crushed cores, displaced roll layers and moisture before loading and on arrival.

What goes wrong

A sample can feel firm while production rolls are lighter or thinner, leaving weak patches and inconsistent cutting behaviour. Recycled fibre can introduce specks and odour; dark shades can transfer colour. Accept against measured tolerances and the approved sample rather than appearance alone.

Loose winding and crushed rolls complicate feeding and cutting. Coated or laminated felt can also differ from the approved construction. Record defects by roll and retain labelled samples before agreeing a remedy with the factory.

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.