Sourcing polyimide needle-punched felt from China
Polyimide needle-punched felt from China carries a flat 6% UK duty, whether untreated or coated, with no listed trade remedies. Untreated felt has a cat and dog fur import control: confirm composition and the customs declaration with your broker. Cambridge China Bridge sources polyimide needle-punched felt.
A flat 6% duty on needle-punched felt
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 5602 covers felt, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated. The relevant needleloom felt lines carry 6% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.
Untreated polyimide needle-punched felt is a candidate for 5602 10 19 00; impregnated, coated, covered or laminated needleloom felt is a candidate for 5602 10 90 00. The former carries a cat and dog fur import control. Imports of that fur and products made from it are banned. Obtain a composition declaration and confirm the required customs declaration with your broker. The supplied tariff record lists no controls for the latter.
The table shows product variants sharing the relevant codes. Confirm the commodity code using the manufacturing process, fibre composition and finish before ordering. This guide concerns felt material; ask your broker to classify finished filter bags separately. See our felt and felt sheets guide for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyimide needle-punched felt rolls, without coating or impregnation | 5602 10 19 00 | 6% | None |
| Impregnated polyimide needle-punched felt | 5602 10 90 00 | 6% | None |
Specify the fibre, backing and filter duty
State whether the felt is entirely polyimide or a blend, and identify the supporting scrim separately. Specify mass per unit area, thickness, width, usable length, tensile strength and air permeability, with agreed tolerances and test conditions. Describe any impregnation, surface treatment, coating or membrane. Keep an approved sample and put these details in the purchase specification.
For filtration, describe the gas stream, moisture, chemicals, operating temperature, temperature excursions and cleaning method. Ask for performance evidence on the exact fibre, scrim and finish combination. Agree how shrinkage and strength after heat exposure will be checked. A fibre temperature claim alone does not establish the performance of the finished felt.
UK REACH generally applies to substances in articles as well as substances and mixtures. Obtain information on the finish and coating so applicable obligations can be assessed. If the felt is sold to consumers or garment makers, follow the fibre labelling rules. Arrange testing and certification support around the intended use and exact supplied material.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 8 rolls of untreated polyimide needle-punched felt; illustrative order and values under 5602 10 19 00, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £15,500. Duty at 6% is £930. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £16,430, so it is £3,286. Import taxes total £4,216; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £930 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Composition: compare batch documents and fibre identification results with the agreed polyimide content, blend and scrim.
Dimensions: weigh samples and measure thickness across the width; check usable roll width and length against the order.
Performance: compare air permeability, tensile strength and agreed heat-exposure results with the specification, using the same test conditions.
Surface and packing: inspect for thin patches, holes, loose fibres and uneven finish; check membrane adhesion where present, batch identification, cores, wrapping and moisture damage.
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What goes wrong
A quotation may describe the face fibre as polyimide without identifying a different scrim or blended fibres. Samples can also differ from production in mass, thickness or surface treatment. These differences can change airflow, strength and behaviour under heat. Match the production batch to the approved construction and retain samples for comparison.
Crushed rolls, uneven coating and weak membrane adhesion can leave material unsuitable for conversion. A generic heat-resistance report may cover a different construction or exposure condition. Agree acceptance checks before production and trial the actual material in the intended process before committing to repeat orders.
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 polyimide needle-punched felt from China?
The relevant untreated and treated needleloom felt lines carry 6% duty in the supplied tariff record, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.
Does coating change the commodity code?
It can. Untreated needleloom felt is a candidate for 5602 10 19 00; impregnated, coated, covered or laminated needleloom felt is a candidate for 5602 10 90 00. Confirm the actual construction with your broker.
What should a polyimide felt test report cover?
The supplied fibre blend, scrim and finish, with agreed methods for mass, thickness, tensile strength, air permeability and performance after heat exposure. Match the report to the production batch.
Why is there a cat and dog fur control on synthetic felt?
The tariff attaches it to the broader untreated needleloom felt line. Obtain evidence of the actual fibre composition and ask your broker to confirm the declaration needed for your shipment.