Sourcing PVC polyester tarp fabric from China

8% duty on PVC-coated polyester fabric

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 5903 covers textile fabrics impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastics, other than those of heading 5902. This guide concerns polyester tarpaulin fabric supplied as fabric, rather than finished covers. The table gives buying descriptions within the same PVC-coated, covered or laminated commodity line.

Goods from China under 5903 10 90 00 carry 8% duty. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for this line. Suspensions elsewhere in the heading concern specified polyurethane or acrylic-backed fabrics and do not apply to this PVC line.

Confirm the commodity code using the base cloth, coating construction and supplied form. Finished tarpaulins fall under heading 6306; plastic sheet with a textile backing where plastic dominates may fall in chapter 39. For other coating materials, see the wider coated fabrics guide.

Specify the polyester base and PVC coating

Specify the polyester weave, base-cloth mass, coating mass and finished mass separately. Agree usable width, roll length, colour, surface finish and which faces are coated. State whether the fabric will be welded or glued, and agree tensile strength, tear strength, coating adhesion, water resistance and cold-flexibility acceptance criteria against a retained sample.

UK REACH applies to chemicals in articles, and its restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on coating substances. Ask for the coating formulation declaration and phthalate test evidence for the grade and intended use. Agree any flame-retardancy specification for marquee use before production, rather than accepting a general claim. Arrange testing and certification support around the actual material supplied.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 8,000 square metres of PVC-coated polyester tarpaulin fabric in rolls; FOB and freight values are illustrative. under 5903 10 90 00, 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

Dimensions and mass: measure usable width and roll length, weigh fabric samples and compare the base-cloth and coating records with the agreed specification.

Coating and surface: inspect for pinholes, exposed yarns, uneven coverage, shade changes and coating separation. Compare adhesion results with the retained sample.

Weld and strength: make trial seams using the buyer's welding process, check seam separation, and test tensile and tear strength in both fabric directions.

Water and cold: test water resistance and cold flexibility against the agreed criteria. On arrival, check roll wrapping, wet patches, creases and damage before cutting. See how quality inspection works.

What goes wrong

A finished fabric weight can conceal a weak base cloth or a different coating balance. Coating separation, pinholes and poor welds can make a roll unsuitable for covers even when its colour matches the sample. A formulation change can also alter cold flexibility and chemical test results.

Approve a welded sample made from the proposed production grade, keep a reference length and require approval before changing the base cloth or coating formulation. Compare bulk test reports and arrival samples with that specification; a report for a different grade does not establish the performance of the delivered fabric.

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.