Sourcing woven shirt collars from China

12% duty on replacement collar parts

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 October 2026, replacement woven shirt collars imported as garment parts fall within heading 6217, under 6217 90 00 00, carrying 12% duty from China. The supplied tariff data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The table contains the relevant parts line only; the accessory lines are not alternative rates for the same collar.

The parts line attaches CITES, cat and dog fur, and seal-product import controls. Imports of cat and dog fur products are banned. Seal products for trade must have a seal catch certificate; confirm exemption eligibility with your customs broker before ordering from China. For CITES-listed materials, confirm the applicable permit or notification with your broker and APHA before shipment.

Confirm the commodity code using the collar sample, woven construction and intended attachment to the shirt. See the garment shoulder pads guide for the wider heading and the import duty and VAT guide for the calculation method.

Specify the collar and its attachment

Send the factory the shirt neckline pattern and an approved collar fitted to the intended shirt. Specify whether the replacement includes the collar stand, the attachment seam allowance, neck opening, collar height, point shape, buttonhole position and any collar-stay pockets. Agree measurement points and tolerances on the drawing.

Specify the woven fabric, fibre composition, colour, interlining and intended washing method. Compare the collar with the shirt fabric in daylight and after washing. Consumer textile products generally need fibre labelling; confirm with HSE or a qualified chemical compliance adviser which restrictions apply to azo dyes in parts touching the skin. Agree relevant material checks through testing and certification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1,000 replacement woven shirt collars; values are illustrative. under 6217 90 00 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,800. Duty at 12% is £816. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,616, so it is £1,523.20. Import taxes total £2,339.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £816 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Fit: check the neck opening, attachment edge and buttonhole position against the intended shirt, including after washing.

Shape: compare collar points and stand height with the approved sample; check symmetry, seam puckering and twisting.

Interlining: check stiffness, bonding and surface appearance before and after washing; look for bubbles, separation and adhesive marks.

Fabric and labels: check shade against the shirt, colour transfer, fibre information and size identification; open packs to check for dampness or mould.

What goes wrong

A collar can match the drawing while failing to fit the shirt because the factory measured the finished outer edge instead of the attachment seam. A changed collar stand or misplaced buttonhole can pull the neckline tight. Approve a sewn-on sample rather than a loose collar alone.

Different shrinkage between the outer fabric and interlining can cause rippling or curled points. Poor bonding can produce bubbles after washing, and a white collar can differ visibly from the shirt. Keep the approved fabric and interlining references with the purchase specification and compare arrival samples with them.

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.