Sourcing polyester-viscose ottoman from China

A flat 8% duty on relevant finishes

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 fabric mixed mainly or solely with viscose rayon staple fibres. The heading covers blends containing less than 85% synthetic staple fibre; confirm composition rather than classifying from the ottoman trade name.

The relevant unbleached or bleached, printed and other fabric lines each carry 8% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for these lines. Dyed and yarn-dyed fabrics share the other-fabric code, so their table entries repeat that code.

Give your broker the fibre test, woven construction and finishing details to confirm the commodity code. See the wider polyester-viscose fabrics guide for neighbouring blends.

Specify the ottoman ribs and finished handle

Specify woven polyester-viscose ottoman with a signed reference swatch showing the transverse ribs. Agree blend ratio, yarn construction, rib spacing and prominence, mass per square metre, usable width, colour and finish. Record the intended garment, care method and acceptable seam behaviour. Compare the finished fabric after washing as well as straight from the roll.

Confirm with the relevant textile-labelling authority which listed fibre names to use for consumer-facing fibre composition labelling. Ottoman describes the construction and does not replace composition information. Confirm with HSE which UK REACH restrictions on azo dyes releasing listed aromatic amines apply to the intended skin-contact textiles. Ask for colour-specific dye test reports and a composition test matching the ordered quality.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1,800 metres of dyed polyester-viscose ottoman fabric; FOB and freight values are illustrative. under 5515 11 90 00, invoiced at £8,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,200. Duty at 8% is £736. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,936, so it is £1,987.20. Import taxes total £2,723.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £736 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Composition and dimensions: test the polyester-viscose blend against the order, then measure mass, usable width and roll length. Match reports and roll identification to the delivered lot.

Ribs and surface: compare rib spacing and prominence with the approved swatch. Unroll fabric to check bowed ribs, missing yarns, snagging, creases and inconsistent handle.

Colour: compare rolls with the signed shade standard and check rubbing and washing colour fastness. For printed fabric, inspect registration across the raised ribs.

Wash and seams: measure dimensional change in warp and weft after the agreed care process. Check pilling and seam slippage using the intended seam construction. Use the inspection guide to brief the inspector.

What goes wrong

A swatch can match the colour while the bulk cloth has flatter ribs, a different handle or less usable width. Bowed ribs become visible when panels are joined. Washing can change dimensions and rib definition, while shade differences between rolls disrupt garment matching.

Approve a washed swatch and a sewn sample before bulk production. Keep the rib reference, shade band and agreed acceptance criteria with the order. Check bulk rolls before cutting, and hold suspect rolls separately while the mill investigates.

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.