Sourcing silicone-coated fabric from China

Duty depends on the fabric construction

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 5903 covers textile fabrics impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastics. The supplied snapshot shows 8% duty on every line for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no attached import controls. This guide concerns silicone-coated fabric qualifying for that heading, rather than every fabric sold under that name.

The 0.00 % suspension under 5903 90 99 00 names polyester fabric with an acrylic latex foam backing, not silicone-coated fabric generally. A separate authorised-use suspension under 5903 20 90 20 concerns a specified polyurethane roof fabric. The polyurethane table row is relevant when assessing mixed-coating constructions; it is not a generic silicone code.

Ask for the coating formulation, base-fabric composition and a cross-section before confirming the commodity code. Rubberised fabrics belong in heading 5906, and finished tents, awnings and tarpaulins belong in heading 6306. For the wider heading, see our PVC and PU coated fabrics guide.

Specify the silicone coating and seam system

Specify the base fibre, weave, finished width, fabric mass, coating mass, coated faces and surface finish. Identify whether the coating is silicone alone or includes a polyurethane layer. Agree water resistance, tear strength, flexibility and any heat exposure using the intended application, rather than accepting a supplier's general description of heat resistance.

UK REACH applies to substances in articles, and restrictions can limit or ban their sale or use. Ask for formulation information and evidence addressing applicable restrictions for the coating, pigments and finishes. Check whether fibre-labelling rules cover the product; government guidance requires fibre content on labels for covered textiles. Agree the evidence with our testing and certification service.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 6,000 metres of silicone-coated textile fabric in rolls, illustrative and subject to classification under 5903 90 99 00, 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 8% is £1,080. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £14,580, so it is £2,916. Import taxes total £3,996; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,080 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Construction: compare the base cloth, coated faces, width and finished mass with the signed sample and specification.

Coating: inspect for bare patches, pinholes, streaks and tackiness; check adhesion after the agreed flexing and ageing.

Performance: test water resistance and tear strength on bulk samples, including after the conditioning specified for the intended use.

Seams and rolls: trial the intended stitching, adhesive and seam sealant; check roll length, shade, creasing and batch identification on arrival.

What goes wrong

A coating can look continuous yet leak through pinholes or stitched seams. Uneven coating mass changes handle and performance, while poor adhesion appears after folding or flexing. Specify acceptance criteria for the finished fabric and a sewn sample, then use the same checks at quality inspection.

Seam sealant or adhesive selected for another coating may not bond to the silicone surface. A change in coating formulation can also change tackiness, adhesion or curing behaviour. Approve the seam system on the actual bulk fabric and retain a labelled sample from each batch.

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.