Sourcing printed textile wall hangings from China

A flat 12% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6304 covers other furnishing articles, including textile wall hangings. The supplied lines all carry 12% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions recorded. This guide concerns finished printed textile hangings; see the wider furnishing guide for other products in this heading.

The tariff attaches CITES import controls to 6304 99 00 91 and 6304 99 00 99, which cover certain other-material furnishings. If a proposed hanging contains CITES-listed material, confirm the applicable permit requirements with your customs broker and APHA before ordering from China. Official guidance requires permits for species listed in Annex A, B or C.

Confirm the commodity code against the actual fibre composition, fabric construction and intended use. Cotton, synthetic fibres, flax or ramie, nonwovens and hand-printed batik have distinct lines. Give your broker a finished sample, fabric specification and photographs of any hanging accessories.

Specify the fabric, artwork and hanging method

State the fibre composition, fabric weight, finished dimensions, edge finish and hanging method. Specify whether rods, cords, clips or eyelets are included. Approve a printed sample on the actual production fabric, showing the complete artwork, crop position, colour and reverse-side appearance. A paper proof cannot show fabric texture, ink penetration or drape.

For sales in Great Britain, the textile label must show fibre content, including fur and other animal parts. Consumer products must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. As practical checks, assess hanging attachments, sharp hardware and loose cords, and agree cleaning instructions supported by trials on the finished print.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 800 woven cotton printed wall hangings under 6304 92 00 90, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,800. Duty at 12% is £1,176. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,976, so it is £2,195.20. Import taxes total £3,371.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,176 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Print: compare bulk goods with the approved fabric sample for colour, sharpness, banding, missing ink and artwork cropped by hems.

Dimensions and drape: measure finished goods after unpacking and trial cleaning; check squareness, curling edges, puckered hems and whether the hanging sits flat.

Attachments: check rod pockets, eyelets, clips and cord stitching; trial the supplied hanging assembly and inspect hardware for sharp edges.

Labels and packing: check fibre labels against the specification, confirm the agreed care instructions and examine arrival cartons for dampness, print transfer and persistent fold marks. Use a product-specific inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A print approved on paper can look dull or blurred on textured fabric. Cutting can remove part of the artwork, while uneven hems leave the panel hanging at an angle. Dark prints can transfer colour during rubbing or cleaning, and tightly folded packing can leave creases across the image.

Approve the finished hanging rather than an unhemmed fabric swatch. Trial cleaning, rubbing and unpacking before agreeing bulk production. Keep the approved sample for comparison, and agree how the supplier will handle colour variation, damaged attachments and incorrectly positioned artwork.

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.