Sourcing PE-coated woven fabrics from China

8% duty on qualifying polyethylene-coated fabric

Heading 5903 covers textile fabrics impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastics, other than those of heading 5902. For polyethylene-coated woven fabric, the relevant coated or laminated entries are 5903 90 91 00 where the fabric forms the right side, and 5903 90 99 00 for other qualifying constructions. The table separates coating and lamination variants within these entries.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, both relevant entries carried 8% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no attached import controls in the supplied record. The suspension under 5903 90 99 00 applies only to the specified polyester fabric with acrylic latex foam backing. It does not provide relief for polyethylene-coated fabric.

Confirm the commodity code using a sample, the base textile, coating composition and intended form of supply. Finished tarpaulins, awnings and tents fall under heading 6306; plastic sheet with textile backing where the plastic dominates may fall in chapter 39. For the wider coated-fabric context, see PVC-coated polyester tarpaulin fabric.

Specify the woven base and polyethylene coating

Specify the base polymer or fibre, yarn or tape construction, weave, usable width and roll length. Separate base-fabric mass from coating mass and total mass. Record which surface is coated, the required colour and finish, and whether the fabric will be sewn, welded, printed or bonded.

For outdoor use, agree water-resistance, tear-strength and weathering tests with acceptance criteria. Test joints using your intended production method rather than relying on the supplier's description of the fabric. UK REACH restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on substances used in coatings. Ask for composition information and a restricted-substances assessment covering the coating, pigments and additives.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 8,000 square metres of polyethylene-coated woven fabric in rolls under 5903 90 99 00, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £15,200. Duty at 8% is £1,216. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £16,416, so it is £3,283.20. Import taxes total £4,499.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,216 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Construction: compare the woven base and coating with the approved sample; check usable width, roll length and mass against the order.

Coating: examine material across the width and along the roll for pinholes, bare patches, uneven coverage, peeling and layers sticking together.

Performance: test tensile and tear strength in both fabric directions, coating adhesion and water resistance using the agreed methods.

Conversion and packing: trial the intended seam, weld, adhesive or print process; check roll identification, winding and protection against moisture and handling damage.

What goes wrong

A roll can meet total mass while having a weaker woven base or an uneven coating. Pinholes and creases can undermine water resistance, while poor adhesion can cause peeling during cutting or folding. Compare retained samples from the bulk with the approved sample and record where each sample came from.

Do not accept an outdoor-life claim without a test basis, or assume that a polyethylene surface will accept your chosen ink or adhesive. Trial the actual conversion process before approving bulk material. Agree the sampling and defect criteria through the quality inspection guide.

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.