Sourcing rubberised balloon fabric from China
Rubberised balloon fabric from China normally carries 4% UK duty when woven; other constructions carry 6% or 8%, with a narrowly specified suspension available. Check the construction and relevant UK REACH restrictions before ordering, then test gas retention and seams. Cambridge China Bridge sources rubberised balloon fabric.
Normally 4% duty for woven balloon fabric
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 5906 covers rubberised textile fabrics other than those of heading 5902. Ordinary woven rubberised balloon fabric falls within the other-fabrics line, subject to confirming its construction. Knitted or crocheted fabric and parallel yarns agglomerated with rubber have separate lines. The table also includes rubberised cloth tape for seam or repair work; agree its compatibility with the fabric.
Goods from China carry 4% under 5906 99 90 90, 6% for knitted or crocheted fabric and 8% for the parallel-yarn construction. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no attached import controls for these lines. A 0.00 % suspension under 5906 99 90 90 is limited to the specified yarn and polymer composition, with a further exclusion for mixtures, preparations or products made up of different components containing these products.
The separate vehicle-roof fabric suspension under 5906 99 90 20 concerns a specified material and authorised use, so it should not be treated as a balloon-fabric concession. Send your broker the fibre, rubber compound, construction and intended use to confirm the commodity code and any suspension eligibility. See the wider rubberised fabrics guide for the heading as a whole.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other woven rubberised fabric, including balloon fabric | 5906 99 90 90 | 4% | None |
| Knitted or crocheted rubberised fabric | 5906 91 00 00 | 6% | None |
| Parallel-yarn fabrics agglomerated with rubber | 5906 99 10 00 | 8% | None |
| Rubberised adhesive cloth tape up to 20 cm wide, for seam or repair work | 5906 10 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specify gas retention and seam compatibility
Specify the base fibre and weave, rubber compound, coated faces, coating mass, thickness, usable width and roll length. Identify the gas, operating conditions and storage conditions. Agree a gas-permeability test and acceptance criteria for the actual coated fabric, plus seam trials using your adhesive or joining process. A water-resistance result alone does not establish gas retention.
UK REACH restrictions limit, prohibit or set conditions on placing substances on the market or using them. Ask for compound and finish information to assess relevant restrictions. Where rubber will have direct and prolonged skin contact, confirm with the relevant authority or a chemical safety adviser whether restrictions on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons apply; request test results covering the supplied compound.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 6,000 metres of woven rubberised balloon fabric in rolls under 5906 99 90 90, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £13,500. Duty at 4% is £540. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £14,040, so it is £2,808. Import taxes total £3,348; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £540 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Coating: inspect against transmitted light for pinholes, bare patches and blisters; measure thickness and coating mass against the agreed specification.
Gas retention: test samples from across the width and along the rolls using the agreed gas and conditions; compare with the approved sample.
Adhesion and seams: check coating adhesion, then make trial seams with your production materials and examine leakage and peeling after flexing.
Roll condition: check usable width, length, batch identification, creases and blocking; retain labelled samples for comparison with later deliveries.
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What goes wrong
A fabric can resist water yet lose gas too quickly. Pinholes, uneven coating and leaking seams can undermine retention; the coating may also peel after repeated folding. Rubber can harden or crack during ageing, and tacky surfaces can stick together in the roll.
Approve fabric and seam samples together before bulk production. Repeat the agreed retention and adhesion checks on the shipment and on arrival, and compare suspect rolls with retained samples. Use the quality inspection guide to agree the inspection scope.
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 rubberised balloon fabric from China?
Ordinary woven fabric is normally 4%; knitted or crocheted fabric is 6%, and the parallel-yarn construction is 8%. A narrowly specified composition under 5906 99 90 90 has a suspension.
Does waterproof fabric hold helium?
A waterproofness result does not establish helium retention. Agree a gas-permeability test for the supplied fabric and a leakage test for your finished seams.
What should I send the Chinese factory?
Send the fibre, weave, rubber compound, coated faces, dimensions, intended gas and operating conditions. Include your seam process, approved sample and agreed test acceptance criteria.
Is polyurethane-coated balloon fabric in heading 5906?
The published background guide places polyurethane-coated fabrics in heading 5903. Confirm the actual coating and construction before using a rubberised-fabric code.