Sourcing screen-printing mesh from China
Screen-printing mesh classified as bolting cloth carries a flat 4% UK duty from China, with no listed trade remedy. Confirm the fibre and technical use before choosing the code, and obtain chemical information for finishes and coatings. Cambridge China Bridge sources screen-printing mesh.
A flat 4% for bolting cloth
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, heading 5911 covers textile products and articles for technical uses. Screen-printing mesh classified as bolting cloth falls under 5911 20 00 90 for textile materials other than silk, or 5911 20 00 20 for silk. Both carry 4% duty on goods from China.
Neither bolting-cloth line has a listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, tariff suspension or attached import control in the supplied tariff record. The table separates material choices that share a code. Other technical textiles have different treatment: see the wider heading guide.
Confirm the commodity code using the fibre, weave, technical use and supplied form. Do not classify an assembled printing screen solely from the mesh fabric description.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester bolting cloth for screen printing | 5911 20 00 90 | 4% | None |
| Silk bolting cloth for screen printing | 5911 20 00 20 | 4% | None |
Specify mesh count, thread diameter and tension
State the fibre, weave, threads per centimetre, thread diameter, colour, usable width and roll length. Make the thread-count unit explicit so the factory and printer compare the same specification. Describe the ink, artwork and substrate, and agree a sample printing trial before approving the mesh.
For tensioned frames, agree the stretching procedure, target tension and acceptable tension loss after resting. Identify any surface treatment or coating. Ask for a UK REACH statement covering finishes and coatings. UK REACH restrictions address chemical risks in articles as well as substances and mixtures; obtain the chemical details needed to assess the purchased grade.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of polyester screen-printing mesh rolls for a printing business under 5911 20 00 90, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £15,200. Duty at 4% is £608. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £15,808, so it is £3,161.60. Import taxes total £3,769.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £608 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Mesh geometry: count threads with a counting glass and measure thread diameter against the approved sample, across the width and along the roll.
Weaving faults: inspect against a light table for broken threads, uneven openings, creases and contamination.
Tension retention: stretch samples using the agreed procedure and compare tension after resting; keep the stretching and measurement conditions consistent.
Roll identity: check fibre, colour, usable width, length and batch identification against the order, and retain a labelled sample from each batch.
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What goes wrong
A matching mesh count can conceal a different thread diameter, changing the opening and ink deposit. Wrong count units, uneven weaving and tension creep can spoil print detail or registration. Creases and contamination may only become obvious during stretching or stencil preparation.
Approve the combination of mesh, stretching procedure and printing trial rather than a datasheet alone. Agree acceptance criteria before production and compare each batch with the signed sample. Use factory verification to check the mill's counting, measurement and tension-testing equipment.
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 screen-printing mesh from China?
Bolting cloth carries 4% under both the silk and other-textile lines. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for either line.
What commodity code is polyester screen-printing mesh?
Polyester mesh classified as bolting cloth falls under 5911 20 00 90. Confirm the construction, technical use and supplied form before declaring it.
Is mesh count enough to compare suppliers?
No. Compare thread diameter, weave, colour, usable width and tension retention as well. Use the same thread-count unit and run a printing trial with your ink and substrate.
How do I check whether mesh loses tension?
Stretch samples by the agreed procedure, measure tension, let them rest and measure again under the same conditions. Compare the result with the agreed acceptance criteria and approved sample.