Sourcing sheepskin pram liners from China

2% duty on made-up sheepskin liners

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 9 October 2026, heading 4303 covers clothing, accessories and other furskin articles. Made-up sheepskin pram liners are a candidate for 4303 90 00 00, the other-articles line. It carries 2% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension shown. Only the relevant tariff line is listed here.

The tariff attaches a restriction on entry into free circulation, CITES import and export controls, and cat-and-dog-fur import and export controls, alongside seal-product import controls. Confirm the restrictions and any exceptions for cat and dog fur and seal products with your customs broker. CITES specimens need an import permit. For Chinese sheepskin liners, have your customs broker confirm which controls apply and what species evidence or declarations are needed.

Confirm the commodity code using photographs, the materials breakdown and the finished construction. Do not use the garment-sheepskin suspension for a finished pram liner. For the wider product family, see sheepskin car seat covers.

Specify the liner around the pram harness

Specify sheep species and skin origin, tanning process, finished outline, wool length and density, skin softness, backing materials and edge binding. Provide a drawing showing harness openings and approve a sample fitted to each intended pram model. Agree tolerances, colour matching, acceptable natural marks and care instructions.

Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe. Include fire safety in the assessment. Ask for a product-specific assessment covering loose fibres, detachable parts, ties, slippage and interference with the harness. Agree testing for dye transfer, cleaning durability and the tanning chemicals used. Avoid unsupported claims about infant sleep, allergy prevention or medical benefits.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 300 sheepskin pram liners; illustrative order, FOB value and freight 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

Species and material: check the supplied species records, skin backing, wool density and construction against the approved sample; investigate any substitution.

Harness fit: fit sampled liners to the intended pram models and check slot alignment, buckle access, bunching and movement during harness adjustment.

Finish and cleaning: check shedding, seams, binding, odour and colour transfer; clean samples using the proposed instructions and inspect shrinkage and skin stiffness.

Information and packing: check the agreed care instructions, compatibility wording, business contact details and batch identification. Inspect cartons for dampness and compression damage. Use the inspection guide to brief the inspector.

What goes wrong

A generic harness-slot pattern may fit the factory's sample seat but obstruct adjustment on the buyer's pram. Thick wool can hide openings, while a slippery backing lets the liner bunch. Approve fit on the actual intended models before accepting a universal-fit description.

Poorly finished skins can shed, smell or become stiff after cleaning. Colour transfer may only appear when the liner is damp. Keep an approved sample, agree cleaning and rub checks, and compare production samples before shipment. Ask for testing support where the factory's reports do not match the finished liner.

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.