Sourcing pom-pom trimmings from China

UK duty on pom-pom trimmings

Heading 5808 covers braids in the piece, ornamental trimmings in the piece without embroidery, other than knitted or crocheted, and tassels, pompons and similar articles. Pom-pom trimmings fall within the other line, 5808 90 00 00. The supplied tariff contains only this relevant commodity line, so the table has a single entry.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 7 November 2026, the supplied lines carry 4% duty for goods from China. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control is listed. This tariff position does not remove product safety or chemical requirements.

Confirm the construction and commodity code before shipping, especially if the backing is knitted, crocheted or embroidered. See the wider braids and decorative trimmings guide for neighbouring products.

Specify the balls, backing and intended use

Specify the fibre of both balls and backing, ball diameter, spacing, overall width, sewing margin and colour reference. Agree acceptable variation, joins, usable roll length and packing. Approve a physical sample sewn onto the intended fabric, rather than approving the trim from a photograph.

State whether the trim is for garments, furnishings or consumer craft packs. Consumer trims must be safe. Confirm with the relevant authority whether UK REACH azo dye restrictions apply to dyed trims in prolonged skin contact. Decorative cords and loops on children's clothing must be safe; assess the finished garment and attachment, as well as the loose trim.

Importers need to demonstrate compliance with relevant regulations and safety requirements before placing products on the market. Keep the agreed specification, approved samples and relevant test reports together.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 50,000 metres of polyester pom-pom trimming under 5808 90 00 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,600. Duty at 4% is £264. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,864, so it is £1,372.80. Import taxes total £1,636.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £264 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Shape and spacing: compare ball size, fullness and spacing with the approved sample; look for flattened balls, uneven gaps and exposed attachment threads.

Attachment: pull sampled balls and flex the backing; check for loose balls, shedding fibres, fraying and damage along the sewing margin.

Colour and washing: compare shades across rolls, wash the trim sewn onto the intended fabric, and check colour transfer, shrinkage, puckering and ball appearance.

Rolls and packing: measure sampled usable lengths, record joins, and match colour and batch references to the packing list. Repeat these checks on arrival. See quality inspection explained.

What goes wrong

A sample can look even while production rolls have sparse balls, irregular spacing or weak attachment. Tight winding can flatten the balls, while washing can loosen them or shrink the backing enough to pucker the seam.

Dark balls can stain pale fabric, and mixed dye lots can make a finished garment or cushion look mismatched. Agree checks against the sewn sample and keep rejected rolls separate while the supplier investigates.

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.