Sourcing sheepskin car seat covers from China

Sheepskin car seat covers: 2% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 9 October 2026, heading 4303 covers clothing, accessories and other furskin articles. Finished sheepskin car seat covers fall for consideration under 4303 90 00 00, other articles. The supplied tariff data records 2% duty for Chinese-origin goods, with no anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension. The table shows product variants under the same tariff line.

The tariff attaches restrictions on entry into free circulation, CITES controls, and cat and dog fur and seal product controls. Ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable prohibitions and exceptions for cat and dog fur and seal products. Check the species against CITES listings and arrange the applicable permits for listed species. Ask your customs broker to confirm the free-circulation restriction and any seal documentation for the declared goods. The line also lists corresponding CITES and cat and dog fur export controls.

Confirm the commodity code using the finished cover's materials and construction, especially where textile panels or backing are substantial. For other articles within the heading, see our real fur rugs guide.

Specify the sheepskin and the seat fit

Specify sheep species and skin origin, tanning method, wool length and density, colour, leather softness and the permitted patchwork construction. Identify which panels are genuine sheepskin and which are textile. Agree backing, seam positions, straps, buckles, headrest openings, cleaning instructions and an approved sample.

Define the vehicle and seat configurations covered by each pattern. Confirm the applicable general product safety requirements with Trading Standards. Seat covers can prevent correct airbag activation during a collision. Request evidence supporting airbag compatibility for the actual cover construction and intended seats; a stitched label or supplier assurance alone is a poor basis for approval.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 300 sheepskin car seat covers, illustrative only under 4303 90 00 00, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,500. Duty at 2% is £190. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,690, so it is £1,938. Import taxes total £2,128; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £190 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Materials: check that wool grows from skin, verify species documentation and compare leather softness, wool density and panel construction with the approved sample.

Finish: brush and pull sampled wool to assess shedding, rub coloured surfaces against a pale cloth, and check odour, seams and skin tears.

Fit: install samples on the intended seats and check retention, headrest openings, belt access and access to seat controls. Compare the airbag seam construction with the supporting test evidence.

Instructions: check fitting diagrams, compatible seat descriptions, cleaning information and batch identification. Record arrival defects with photographs using the quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A cover sold as a universal fit may slip, bunch around belt access or cover a seat airbag outlet. An official recall identifies the risk of a seat cover preventing correct airbag activation. Approve the fit and supporting compatibility evidence before accepting broad vehicle coverage claims.

Other failures include textile pile substituted for sheepskin, undisclosed patchwork, brittle leather, shedding, dye transfer and damp packing. Keep a signed sample and written acceptance criteria, then compare production and arrival samples against them.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.