Sourcing reusable textile face masks from China
Reusable textile face masks from China have base duties of 6% to 12%, with a conditional 0.00 % suspension on the listed protective-mask lines. General-public face coverings must meet product safety requirements and must not be sold as medical devices or personal protective equipment. Cambridge China Bridge sources reusable textile face masks.
UK duty on reusable textile face masks
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, heading 6307 covers other made-up textile articles. The selected lines are classification candidates for reusable textile face masks, rather than interchangeable codes. Knitted or crocheted articles have a 12% base duty; the listed other protective face masks have a 6% base duty. No anti-dumping or countervailing measures are recorded for these lines.
The listed protective-mask lines carry a 0.00 % autonomous suspension restricted to textile face masks without a replaceable filter or mechanical parts, with the footnote also including respirators with simple exhalation valves. Confirm eligibility for the actual design. The knitted line has no recorded suspension and carries CITES import and export controls. The nonwoven line carries a supplementary-unit import measure; ask your customs broker to confirm its declaration requirement.
For material derived from a CITES-listed species, check permit requirements before shipment from China: moving a CITES specimen into Great Britain requires a permit, and the corresponding overseas documentation must also be arranged. Give your broker the fibre composition, construction, intended use and filter details to confirm the commodity code. See the wider medical devices and protective equipment guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knitted or crocheted textile face coverings, subject to classification | 6307 90 10 00 | 12% | None |
| Other nonwoven protective face masks, where reusable | 6307 90 95 20 | 6% | None |
| Other protective face masks, not nonwoven, hand-made | 6307 90 95 91 | 6% | None |
| Other protective face masks, not nonwoven or hand-made | 6307 90 95 95 | 6% | None |
Specify the mask after washing
State whether the product is an ordinary public face covering or is intended for medical use or wearer protection. General-public face coverings are neither medical devices nor personal protective equipment and do not carry CE or UKCA marking on that basis. For sales in Great Britain, they must meet general product safety requirements.
Specify fibre composition, fabric construction, layers, finished dimensions, ear-loop material and adjustment, nose insert, seams and packaging. Agree washing instructions and acceptance criteria for shrinkage, colour transfer, seam integrity and fit after repeated washing. Retain an approved washed sample alongside the new sample.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 6,000 reusable woven textile face masks; suspension eligibility to be confirmed under 6307 90 95 95, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,800. Duty at 6% is £588. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,388, so it is £2,077.60. Import taxes total £2,665.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £588 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: compare finished dimensions and coverage with the approved sample, before and after the agreed wash trial.
Construction: check seam closure, ear-loop attachment, adjusters and exposed or protruding nose inserts.
Fabric: check shade consistency, loose fibres, colour transfer and changes in handle after washing.
Information: compare washing instructions, product description and claims with the approved artwork; check that the supplied construction matches the supporting documents.
What goes wrong
A mask can fit when new but shrink after washing, while ear loops stretch or detach and nose inserts work through their sleeves. Printed fabric can transfer colour, and substituted fabric can change comfort and fit. Compare bulk samples after the same wash process used for approval.
Medical or wearer-protection claims change the regulatory question. Masks intended to protect the wearer are regulated as personal protective equipment. Do not approve such claims using an ordinary face-covering sample or unrelated supplier paperwork; settle the intended use and supporting evidence before ordering.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on reusable textile face masks from China?
Base duty is 12% on the selected knitted line and 6% on the selected other protective-mask lines. The latter carry a conditional 0.00 % suspension. Confirm the code and suspension eligibility for your design.
Do reusable cloth face coverings need CE or UKCA marking?
Ordinary general-public face coverings are neither medical devices nor personal protective equipment and do not carry CE or UKCA marking on that basis. They must meet general product safety requirements.
Can I import reusable masks with replaceable filters duty-free?
Do not assume so. The recorded suspension footnote excludes textile face masks with a replaceable filter. Ask your broker to confirm classification and the applicable duty.
What should I test before approving a reusable mask?
Compare fit, dimensions, colour transfer, seams, ear loops and nose inserts before and after the proposed washing process. Agree acceptance criteria and retain the washed approval sample.