Sourcing PU-coated airbag fabrics from China

8% duty on PU-coated airbag fabric

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 5903 covers textile fabrics impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastics. PU-coated airbag fabric supplied in rolls is a candidate for 5903 20 90 90, the other polyurethane-coated, covered or laminated fabric line. The table shows purchasing variants sharing that code, rather than separate tariff categories.

The recorded duty for goods from China under 5903 20 90 90 is 8%. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import controls for this line. The authorised-use suspension under 5903 20 90 20 describes fabric for retractable vehicle roofs and does not cover airbag fabric merely because it uses polyurethane.

Confirm the commodity code using the base fabric, coating composition, construction and supplied form. This guide concerns fabric for making airbags; ask your broker to assess finished cushions separately. See PVC and PU-coated fabrics for the wider heading.

Specify gas retention and coating durability

Write down the base fibre, yarn construction, weave, finished width, fabric mass, coating mass and coated face. Identify the polyurethane formulation and any adhesive or finish. Require the supplier to declare proposed changes before production, including changes to yarn, coating ingredients or the coating site.

Agree gas permeability at a stated pressure, tensile and tear strength, elongation, coating adhesion and the ageing conditions used for acceptance. Ask the airbag maker to define heat exposure, humidity, folding and seam tests for the intended cushion. Compare reports for the exact proposed grade and trial it in the intended cushion construction.

UK REACH restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on substances placed on the market or used. Ask for a restricted-substances statement covering the coating, adhesive and finishes, with supporting tests for applicable restrictions. Arrange testing and certification around the actual material specification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1,500 metres of PU-coated nylon airbag fabric under 5903 20 90 90, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £15,200. Duty at 8% is £1,216. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £16,416, so it is £3,283.20. Import taxes total £4,499.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,216 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match roll labels, production lots and test reports to the approved yarn and coating formulation. Keep retained samples linked to the delivered rolls.

Surface and dimensions: inspect for pinholes, bare patches, streaks, creases and contamination. Measure usable width and check fabric and coating mass against the agreed tolerances.

Performance: sample across the width and along rolls for gas permeability, strength and adhesion. Repeat the agreed checks after ageing and folding rather than accepting fresh-sample results alone.

Arrival condition: check wrapping, moisture, roll distortion and blocking between coated surfaces. Quarantine suspect rolls until the buyer's agreed acceptance checks are resolved.

What goes wrong

An acceptable average coating mass can conceal thin patches that leak. Excess coating can change flexibility and folding behaviour. Adhesion may deteriorate after humid ageing, while yarn or finish substitutions can alter strength and permeability. Compare bulk samples with the approved material using the same test conditions.

A fabric report does not demonstrate how the sewn cushion will behave during deployment. Agree responsibility for cushion trials with the airbag maker before ordering bulk fabric, and keep rejected material separate from accepted stock. Use factory verification to check coating equipment, testing capability and batch records.

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.