Sourcing polyester tyre cord fabric from China

Polyester tyre cord fabric: 0% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 12 November 2026, heading 5902 covers tyre cord fabric of high-tenacity nylon or other polyamide, polyester or viscose rayon yarn. This guide covers the polyester lines only: rubber-impregnated fabric under 5902 20 10 00 and other polyester tyre cord fabric under 5902 20 90 00.

Both polyester lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for either line. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.

Confirm the fibre and treatment with the factory before checking the commodity code. Ask what the dip contains rather than relying on the description 'dipped fabric'. For the wider heading and the nylon alternatives, see nylon tyre cord fabric.

Specify the polyester cord and adhesive finish

Specify the polyester yarn count, ply, twist, ends per unit width, weft construction, fabric width and roll length. State whether you want greige or treated fabric. Agree breaking strength, elongation at a stated load and heat shrinkage, with the test conditions and acceptance criteria written into the order.

For treated fabric, agree the adhesive system and dip pick-up, then test adhesion using your own rubber compound and curing conditions. Ask for a UK REACH statement covering the finished fabric and its treatment. Inclusion of a substance on the UK REACH Candidate List brings supplier obligations, so obtain the finish composition and supporting information before approving it.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 2 tonnes of rubber-impregnated polyester tyre cord fabric, illustrative under 5902 20 10 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,200, so it is £1,440. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Lot tests: match each roll's batch identity to reports for breaking strength, elongation, heat shrinkage and dip pick-up; compare results with the agreed specification.

Adhesion: test production samples with your rubber compound under the agreed curing conditions, rather than accepting results for a different compound.

Fabric: check width, ends per unit width, weft spacing and roll length; look for loose ends, knots, uneven treatment and contamination.

Packing: check sealed moisture-resistant wrapping, lot and production markings, and the agreed storage conditions and shelf life. Use an agreed sampling plan for quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A roll can meet breaking-strength requirements yet bond poorly to your rubber. Uneven dip pick-up, a changed adhesive recipe or different curing conditions can undermine adhesion. Heat shrinkage and elongation can also drift between production lots, affecting how the cord behaves during tyre manufacture.

Heat, humidity and light can age treated fabric before it reaches your production line. Agree sealed packing and storage conditions, retain an approved sample, and compare arrival samples with the pre-shipment results. Investigate a changed batch result before releasing the rolls for use.

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.