Sourcing Polyester Oxford Fabric from China
Polyester Oxford fabric within heading 5407 carries a flat 8% UK duty from China across the selected lines. Confirm the filament type and finish before choosing the code. Fabric sold to consumers needs fibre-content labelling; confirm with the relevant authority which UK REACH checks apply to the dyes and finishes. Cambridge China Bridge sources polyester Oxford fabric.
8% duty on the selected Oxford fabric lines
Heading 5407 covers woven synthetic filament fabrics. For polyester Oxford fabric, establish whether the yarn is textured or non-textured and whether the cloth is dyed, yarn-dyed or printed. The selected lines require at least 85% by weight of the specified polyester filaments.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the selected lines carry 8% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control recorded. The heading also contains a narrowly specified suspension for a specialist fabric under 5407 10 00 00; it does not cover the selected Oxford fabric lines.
Do not classify from the name Oxford alone. Coated fabric may need a different heading, so give your broker the composition, yarn details and finish when confirming the commodity code. See the wider polyester and nylon woven fabrics guide for neighbouring fabric types.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dyed Oxford fabric with at least 85% textured polyester filaments | 5407 52 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Printed Oxford fabric with at least 85% textured polyester filaments | 5407 54 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Dyed Oxford fabric with at least 85% non-textured polyester filaments | 5407 61 30 00 | 8% | None |
| Printed Oxford fabric with at least 85% non-textured polyester filaments | 5407 61 90 00 | 8% | None |
Specify the yarn, weave and finish
State the intended use, such as bag panels or protective covers. Agree polyester content, textured or non-textured yarn, yarn denier, filament count, weave, usable width, weight per square metre and roll length. Approve a physical sample and colour lab dip rather than ordering from a fabric name alone.
Describe any coating separately from a water-repellent finish. Agree tear strength, seam slippage, colour fastness and water performance suitable for the intended use, including performance after the agreed washing or cleaning. Confirm with the relevant authority which UK REACH requirements apply to the dyes and finishes, including any azo dye restrictions for textiles in direct and prolonged skin contact.
Fabric sold to consumers by the metre needs fibre-content labelling. Agree the fibre description before labels are printed and keep composition evidence with the batch records.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 3,000 metres of dyed textured polyester Oxford fabric under 5407 52 00 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,600. Duty at 8% is £768. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,368, so it is £2,073.60. Import taxes total £2,841.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £768 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Construction: compare the weave, handle, usable width and weight with the approved sample; check tear strength and seam slippage against the agreed specification.
Colour: compare rolls and the beginning and end of sampled rolls with the approved lab dip under consistent lighting; check rubbing and washing fastness.
Finish: check water repellency before and after agreed cleaning; where a coating is specified, inspect adhesion, cracking and water penetration, and confirm the classification separately.
Rolls: check measured length against the packing list, weaving faults, dampness, cores and wrapping. Record dye lots and roll identities during quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A similar-looking Oxford weave can hide a lighter construction or weaker yarn. Loose cloth can slip at seams, while rolls from different dye lots produce mismatched panels. Separate shade groups before cutting and compare production samples with the retained approval sample.
Water-repellent treatment can lose performance after cleaning, and poorly cured coatings can peel, crack or smell. Agree a cleaning and performance check before ordering. Confirm the tariff heading again if the factory changes the coating or fibre composition.
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 Oxford fabric from China?
The selected heading 5407 lines carry 8% duty from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded in the supplied tariff snapshot.
Does coated polyester Oxford fabric use the same commodity code?
Do not assume so. Give your broker the coating details, yarn construction and composition before confirming the heading.
Does Oxford fabric sold by the metre need a fibre label?
Yes, when sold to consumers. The label must show fibre content; confirm the actual composition rather than relying on the supplier's fabric name.
How do I check water-repellent Oxford fabric?
Compare samples with the agreed water-performance specification before and after agreed cleaning. For coated versions, also check adhesion, cracking and water penetration.