Sourcing gas-holder membrane fabric from China

Standard duty of 4% to 8%

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 5906 covers rubberised textile fabrics. Other woven rubberised membrane fabric carries 4% duty from China, knitted or crocheted fabric 6%, and the parallel-yarn material described in chapter note 5(c) 8%. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. The table includes ancillary tape; its inclusion does not establish suitability for gas-retaining seams.

Code 5906 99 90 90 includes a 0% suspension for rubberised fabric with a precisely specified yarn composition. Do not assume that a gas-holder application qualifies: compare the supplier's composition with the suspension wording. The separate authorised-use suspension under 5906 99 90 20 concerns the listed motor-vehicle roof fabric. That line also has a supplementary-unit import measure; if classification points there, ask your customs broker to confirm the declaration requirement.

The membrane-fabric lines shown have no attached import controls in the supplied record. Confirm the commodity code using the rubber compound, textile construction and imported form. PVC and polyurethane coated fabrics fall under heading 5903 rather than this rubberised-fabric heading. See the rubberised diaphragm fabric guide for wider heading coverage.

Specify the gas barrier and seam process

State whether the fabric forms the gas-retaining membrane or an external weather cover. Specify the base fibre, weave, rubber compound, coating on each face, total mass, thickness, usable width and permitted surface defects. Give the gas composition, operating temperature, pressure, exposure to condensate and expected movement to the membrane designer.

Agree gas-permeability acceptance criteria and test conditions with the designer. Ask for results on the offered compound and fabric construction, including after the agreed flexing and ageing. Trial the proposed adhesive or joining process on production material, with seam peel strength and leakage checked against the agreed specification.

UK REACH generally applies to substances in articles, and its restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on placing substances on the market or using them. Ask for composition information and a restricted-substances assessment covering the rubber, textile finishes and joining materials. Use testing and certification support to define the evidence needed.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 6,000 m of rubber-coated woven fabric for gas-holder membrane manufacture 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

Identity: match roll labels and batch records to the approved compound, base fabric and retained sample; measure width, thickness and mass against the purchase specification.

Surface and adhesion: inspect unrolled material for pinholes, bare patches, blisters and delamination; test coating adhesion on samples from different rolls.

Gas barrier and seams: review batch-linked permeability results and test joined samples using the intended production process; record leakage and peel behaviour.

Arrival condition: check for wet wrapping, crushed roll cores, blocking and crease damage before cutting; photograph defects and keep labelled samples. See quality inspection explained.

What goes wrong

A fabric sold as waterproof can still have unacceptable gas permeability. A weather-cover grade may be supplied for a gas-retaining membrane, while coating changes can alter adhesion, flexibility and chemical resistance. Pinholes and crease damage create local leakage even when the roll's average coating mass is correct.

Seams can peel after repeated movement or exposure to condensate, and rubber can harden or crack after ageing. Approve the fabric and joining process together, retain production samples and agree acceptance tests before ordering. Ask the membrane designer to assess compatibility with the actual gas and operating conditions.

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.