Sourcing polypropylene felt from China

Flat 6% duty on polypropylene felt

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 5602 covers felt, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated. Unfinished polypropylene needle-punched felt fits the description of 5602 10 19 00; finished needleloom felt is described under 5602 10 90 00. The other felt rows are classification comparisons, not alternative codes to choose solely by fibre.

All supplied heading lines carry 6% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions recorded. The uncoated needleloom line carries a cat and dog fur import control. Imports of that fur and products made from it are banned. Obtain a fibre declaration and confirm the customs declaration with your broker. No import control is recorded against the finished needleloom line.

Confirm the commodity code using the manufacturing method, fibre composition and details of every coating or backing. For wider heading context, see the polyester needle-punched felt guide.

Specify the polypropylene fibre and needle-punched structure

State the polypropylene fibre composition, virgin or recycled content, mass per square metre, thickness under an agreed measuring pressure, roll width and length, colour and surface finish. Identify any scrim, backing, coating or impregnation separately. Agree tolerances and retain an approved sample from the intended production construction.

For filtration, agree air permeability, tensile performance and trials with the intended process fluid and operating temperature. For liners or protective layers, check abrasion, shedding and compression recovery in the intended assembly. Request test results for the actual fibre blend and finish rather than accepting a report for another felt grade.

Textile labels must show fibre content. REACH restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on substances used in products; ask the supplier to identify finishes and provide evidence relevant to the actual material and use. Arrange testing and certification support where the intended application needs further assessment.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 8 tonnes of polypropylene needle-punched felt in rolls 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

Weight and thickness: cut and weigh samples across the width and from different rolls, then measure thickness under the agreed pressure against the order tolerances.

Fibre and finish: match the composition declaration, labels and batch records to the order; check recycled grades for specks, odour and inconsistent colour, and inspect coatings for uneven coverage.

Performance: compare permeability, tensile results and shedding with the approved sample; trial the felt in the intended filter, liner or assembly before releasing the batch.

Roll condition: check width, length records, winding, cores, edge damage and wrapping on arrival. Look for crushed rolls, moisture and layers displaced sideways. Use the quality inspection guide to organise the checks.

What goes wrong

A felt can match the sample's thickness while arriving below the ordered mass per area. Uneven needling leaves thin bands or inconsistent permeability; substituted fibre blends can change performance. Recycled fibre may bring visible contamination or odour, while a backing or finish can differ from the approved construction.

Crushed or poorly wound rolls complicate cutting and feeding. Keep suspect rolls identifiable, compare samples with the agreed specification and record defects before processing. Investigate the fibre, needling and finishing stages with the supplier rather than accepting replacement material on appearance alone.

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.