Sourcing woven shirt cuffs from China
Replacement woven shirt cuffs from China carry 12% UK duty as garment parts; the wider heading ranges from 6% to 12%. Textile fibre labelling rules generally apply when sold to consumers. Specify the sleeve attachment and test the fitted cuff after washing. Cambridge China Bridge sources replacement woven shirt cuffs.
Duty on replacement woven shirt cuffs
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 October 2026, heading 6217 covers other made-up clothing accessories and garment parts, excluding those of heading 6212. Replacement woven shirt cuffs supplied as garment parts fall within 6217 90 00 00, carrying 12% duty from China. The supplied facts record no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The table shows cuff variants sharing this parts line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.
The parts line attaches CITES, cat and dog fur, and seal-product import controls. Cat and dog fur products are banned. Seal products for trade into Great Britain need a qualifying indigenous-community exemption and a seal catch certificate. For cuffs containing protected-species material, confirm the CITES documentation with your customs broker before ordering from China.
Confirm the construction and intended use through finding your commodity code. Do not use the heading's 6% accessory rate simply because cuffs are sold separately. See the replacement woven shirt collars guide for related garment parts and UK import duty and VAT for the calculation method.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replacement woven shirt cuffs, button fastening | 6217 90 00 00 | 12% | None |
Specify the sleeve attachment and cuff construction
Provide a shirt sample and a cuff drawing showing finished circumference, depth, sleeve attachment edge, seam allowance, button position and buttonhole direction. State whether the cuff fastens with buttons or folds back for cufflinks, and whether the factory supplies matched pairs or individual pieces.
Specify fibre composition, weave, colour, surface finish and interlining construction. Compare replacement fabric against the existing shirt in daylight and after washing. Agree stiffness and pressing appearance using a fitted sample. Textile products sold to consumers generally need fibre composition labelling; confirm any applicable REACH restrictions on azo dyes in skin-contact textile parts with the relevant authority.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1,000 pairs of replacement woven shirt cuffs 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 attachment edge against the shirt sleeve, finished wrist circumference and button alignment on fitted samples.
Construction: check matching cuff shapes, seam allowances, stitch security and buttonholes for fraying or blocked openings.
Washing: check shrinkage, colour transfer, puckering and interlining bubbles after washing and pressing the fitted cuff.
Packing: check matched pairs, colour and size identification, quantities and agreed fibre information against the order. Use the quality inspection guide to agree the inspection scope.
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What goes wrong
A cuff can match the drawing yet fail when sewn to the shirt because the attachment edge or seam allowance differs. Replacement whites can look yellow beside an existing shirt, and different shrinkage between fabric and interlining can distort the cuff after washing.
Buttonholes may be too tight for the supplied buttons, fold-back cuffs may sit unevenly, and fused interlining may blister after pressing. Approve a fitted and washed sample, retain it for comparison, and require approval before the factory changes fabric, interlining or buttons.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on replacement woven shirt cuffs from China?
The supplied tariff facts give 12% for garment parts under 6217 90 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
Can separate shirt cuffs use the accessory duty rate?
Separate sale does not establish the accessory classification. Replacement cuffs supplied as garment parts use the parts line; confirm the actual construction and use with your customs broker.
How do I make sure replacement cuffs fit my shirts?
Give the factory a shirt sample and an attachment drawing. Approve cuffs sewn onto that shirt, then check wrist fit, button alignment and appearance after washing.
What should I test before accepting a cuff order?
Check dimensions, buttonholes, stitching, colour matching and matched pairs. Wash and press fitted samples to reveal shrinkage, colour transfer and interlining separation.