Sourcing prepared horsehair from China

Duty on prepared horsehair for wig making

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 6703 covers worked human hair and animal hair or textile materials prepared for making wigs or similar articles. Prepared horsehair for this use falls within commodity code 6703 00 00 00. The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty for goods from China, no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension. The table shows product variants sharing the same tariff line.

The tariff attaches import and export controls for CITES and cat and dog fur. Imports and exports of cat and dog fur, including products made from it, are banned. Ask your customs broker to confirm whether CITES documents are required for the declared species and shipment. Do not treat the heading-level control as proof that every horsehair order needs a permit.

Confirm the commodity code against the species, processing and condition at import. Prepared loose hair and finished wigs need separate classification checks. The prepared goat hair guide explains another animal-hair product within this wider heading.

Specify horsehair and its processing

Specify horse species, mane or tail hair, natural or dyed colour, usable length distribution, thickness, straightness, bundle weight and permitted blending. Describe how the hair will be knotted or attached to the wig base. Approve a sample in the intended construction rather than judging loose hair only by appearance.

Ask for a written processing record covering washing, bleaching, dyeing and surface treatments. For hair meeting the official treated-hair import conditions, imports are permitted from any country, including China. Confirm the treatment route and accompanying paperwork with the Animal and Plant Health Agency before shipping. For unwashed or untreated animal hair, ask the Animal and Plant Health Agency to confirm any applicable animal by-product controls.

Ask the factory to record species, origin, treatment and batch identity on its shipment documents. State how bundles should be kept dry and separated by colour and length. Keep an approved washed sample for comparison with production.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial batch of prepared horsehair bundles for a wig-making business under 6703 00 00 00, invoiced at £1,200 free on board, with £300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £1,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £1,500, so it is £300. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: compare the species declaration and processing records with the order; arrange laboratory identification if undeclared animal or synthetic fibres are suspected.

Usable length: open sampled bundles, measure the length distribution and weigh the hair without ties or packaging; check for short fibres concealed inside.

Processing: wash and comb samples to check colour transfer, tangling, breakage and changes in stiffness; compare them with the approved washed sample.

Wig-making performance: trial knotting or attachment on the intended base, check handling and retention, and inspect packs for moisture, mould or contamination. Use the inspection guide to define the checks.

What goes wrong

A smooth-looking bundle can contain short fibres, undeclared blends or a coating that changes after washing. Mixed thickness and stiffness can make knotting inconsistent, while bleaching or dyeing can leave the hair brittle or prone to colour transfer. Compare washed production samples with the approved reference before accepting the batch.

A supplier's description of hair as prepared for wigs does not establish its animal-health treatment status. Resolve unclear processing records with the Animal and Plant Health Agency before dispatch, and ask the broker to check the tariff controls against the actual species. Keep raw material, prepared loose hair and finished wigs clearly distinguished in the order and invoice.

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.