Sourcing PTFE multifilament yarn from China

Zero duty, with classification by construction

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the relevant lines within heading 5402 carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines.

Heading 5402 covers synthetic filament yarn other than sewing thread, not put up for retail sale. For PTFE multifilament yarn, distinguish textured yarn, single yarn and folded or cabled yarn. The single-yarn split depends on whether twist exceeds 50 turns per metre. Treat the table as candidate classifications to confirm from the actual construction.

Give your broker the polymer composition, filament construction, twist, finishing and packaging details to confirm the commodity code. Sewing thread and retail-packed yarn belong in other headings. For another product family within the wider heading, see aramid filament yarn.

Specify the PTFE yarn and its intended process

Specify polytetrafluoroethylene composition, whether the yarn is entirely PTFE or contains another material, and whether it is continuous multifilament rather than a tape or coated carrier yarn. Agree linear density, filament count, twist direction, tenacity, elongation, finish, colour, net package weight and winding format.

For weaving, braiding or filtration applications, agree a processing trial and the conditions used to assess dimensional stability and strength retention. Ask for lot-specific results rather than accepting a temperature or chemical-resistance claim without its test conditions.

Textile labels must show fibre content. UK REACH restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on substances, including substances in articles. Products containing persistent organic pollutants are subject to a manufacture, sale and use ban. Ask for composition and residual-chemical evidence, including perfluorooctanoic acid and its salts, and have a compliance adviser assess it before sale.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial order: 20 kg of untwisted PTFE multifilament yarn under 5402 49 00 90, invoiced at £2,600 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,800, so it is £760. 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 delivered yarn with the approved sample and composition report; check that filament construction and any added finish match the order.

Lot performance: check linear density, breaking strength, elongation and twist on packages drawn from different cartons against the agreed limits and methods.

Unwinding: run sampled packages through the intended guides and tension settings; record broken filaments, loops, snagging, package collapse and inconsistent feed.

Packages and records: check net yarn weight separately from the tube, winding damage, contamination and lot labels; match test reports to the shipped batch. Use an agreed inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A supplier's PTFE yarn description can leave the construction unclear. A tape, coated carrier or folded yarn may behave differently from the approved multifilament sample. Lock the construction and finish into the purchase specification and retain a reference package.

Uneven winding, damaged filaments and changes in finish can cause feed problems during weaving or braiding. Check the delivered lot on your own process before releasing it to production, and investigate changes in strength or elongation rather than adjusting the machine to conceal them.

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.