Sourcing polyester-viscose pinstripes from China
Polyester-viscose pinstripe suiting under heading 5515 pays a flat 8% UK duty from China. Fibre composition labelling applies when selling textiles in Great Britain; check the blend behind the label. Specify stripe spacing and test shrinkage before cutting. Cambridge China Bridge sources polyester-viscose pinstripe suiting.
A flat 8% duty on polyester-viscose suiting
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 5515 covers other woven fabrics of synthetic staple fibres. The polyester-viscose family here contains less than 85% synthetic staple fibre, mixed mainly or solely with viscose staple. Yarn-dyed pinstripes and dyed cloth with woven stripe texture share 5515 11 90 00; printed stripes and unfinished printing bases have separate lines.
The relevant polyester-viscose lines carry 8% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, suspension or attached import control recorded in the supplied tariff data. Some other blends in this heading carry CITES controls. If animal fibres change the classification, confirm requirements with your customs broker. CITES-listed species can require permits, and the current import restrictions should be checked before applying.
Confirm the commodity code using the tested composition and whether the stripe is woven or printed. A supplier's description of 'suiting' is insufficient. For wider heading coverage, see the polyester-viscose gabardine guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yarn-dyed polyester-viscose pinstripe suiting | 5515 11 90 00 | 8% | None |
| Polyester-viscose suiting with printed pinstripes | 5515 11 30 00 | 8% | None |
| Unbleached or bleached polyester-viscose base cloth for pinstripe printing | 5515 11 10 00 | 8% | None |
Specify the pinstripe repeat and tailoring behaviour
Specify the polyester and viscose proportions, yarn count, weave, weight, usable width and finish. Define stripe spacing, line width, colour contrast and direction with an approved full-width sample. State whether the stripe must be woven from coloured yarns or printed. Agree acceptable bow, skew and shade variation, plus the cleaning method and pressing conditions the finished suit will face.
For consumer sales, fibre composition must be labelled; confirm the permitted fibre names with Trading Standards. Test the blend rather than copying the mill's quality name onto the label. Confirm with HSE which UK REACH restrictions on azo dyes apply to the intended skin-contact use. Request reports covering the ordered ground shade and stripe colours, with testing and certification support where needed.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 8,000 metres of yarn-dyed polyester-viscose pinstripe suiting, illustrative only under 5515 11 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
Stripe geometry: lay cloth flat and check stripe spacing, straightness and direction across the usable width and along each inspected roll. Compare the repeat with the approved sample before planning matched seams.
Composition and rolls: test fibre composition and weight against the order. Measure usable width and roll length, check weaving faults and inspect packaging for dampness.
Shade and colour transfer: compare ground and stripe colours between rolls under consistent lighting. Test washing and rubbing fastness against the agreed acceptance criteria.
Tailoring performance: check pilling, seam slippage and dimensional change after the agreed cleaning cycle. Press a trial panel and check stripe distortion, surface shine and handle.
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What goes wrong
Bowed or skewed stripes make matched jacket fronts and trouser seams difficult. A changed stripe repeat can disrupt the cutting plan even when the colour looks right. Mixed shades between rolls can leave jacket panels visibly different, while shrinkage after cleaning can distort the stripe and garment fit.
A swatch does not show faults running along a roll. Inspect bulk cloth, retain approved samples and keep rolls identified by dye lot. Test blend, pilling and seam behaviour before cutting, then compare arrival checks with the shipment inspection. See quality inspection explained.
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-viscose pinstripe suiting from China?
The relevant heading 5515 lines carry a flat 8% duty from China in the supplied tariff data, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure or suspension recorded.
What commodity code covers woven polyester-viscose pinstripes?
Yarn-dyed polyester staple fabric mixed mainly or solely with viscose staple falls under 5515 11 90 00. Confirm the tested blend and construction; printed stripes have a separate line.
How do I check whether pinstripes will stay straight?
Compare bulk cloth with the approved full-width sample, checking bow, skew and repeat. Clean and press a trial panel using the intended garment care method, then check for distortion.
Does polyester-viscose suiting need a fibre label?
For consumer sales, the fibre composition must be labelled. Confirm the permitted fibre names with Trading Standards. Verify the polyester and viscose proportions before preparing fabric or garment labels.