Sourcing replacement hat brims from China

Duty on replacement hat brims

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 6507 covers headbands, linings, covers, hat foundations, hat frames, peaks and chinstraps for headgear. Replacement cap brims and peak inserts supplied separately as hat parts are the focus here. The supplied line, 6507 00 00 00, carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The table shows buying styles sharing that line.

The tariff attaches cat and dog fur import and export controls and a seal-product import control. Cat and dog fur products cannot be imported or exported; confirm any additional market restrictions with the relevant authority. For the traditional Inuit or other indigenous hunting exemption, seal products need a seal catch attestation certificate. If a Chinese supplier offers seal trim, have your customs broker confirm eligibility and the required documents before ordering. Specify the material and species of any animal trim.

Confirm the commodity code using the brim's construction and whether it arrives as a separate hat part or finished headgear. Other brim constructions need classification checked against their actual materials and form. See the wider hat-parts guide for the rest of the heading and the import duty and VAT guide for the tax calculation.

Brim shape, insert and attachment

Specify the intended hat model, outline, projection, curve, insert material, thickness, stiffness, fabric covering and edge finish. Supply a pattern showing the attachment edge and any stitching allowance or fixing positions. Agree measurement tolerances in the order and approve a brim fitted to the actual hat.

State whether the brim will be sewn in during manufacture or fitted during repair. Check that stitching does not split the insert and that the finished edge has no exposed sharp material. Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Agree the washing and handling conditions the fitted brim should withstand.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of curved replacement cap brim inserts for a hat repair business under 6507 00 00 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,900, so it is £1,980. 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

Shape and fit: compare the outline, projection, curve and attachment edge with the approved pattern; fit sampled brims to the intended hat.

Insert and edges: check material, thickness and stiffness against the sample; look for cracks, rough edges, exposed inserts and uneven covering.

Washing and attachment: wash a fitted sample using the agreed care method; check for distortion, layer separation, loose stitching and colour transfer.

Packing and arrival: check for flattened curves, creases, dampness and mixed styles; compare the assortment with the packing list. Use the inspection guide to brief the inspector.

What goes wrong

A brim can look correct when loose but pull the hat out of shape after fitting. A changed attachment curve or stitching allowance can cause puckering and an uneven front edge. Keep the approved pattern and fitted sample available for production checks.

Board inserts can warp or break down when washed, while plastic inserts can crack in cold conditions. Substituted insert material, uneven stiffness and packing that crushes the curve can make replacements unsuitable. Test the agreed construction in a finished hat and investigate damaged or distorted pieces before accepting the batch.

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.