Sourcing silk neckerchiefs from China

A flat duty on woven silk neckerchiefs

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 22 October 2026, heading 6214 covers shawls, scarves, mufflers, mantillas, veils and similar goods. This guide covers woven silk neckerchiefs. The silk or silk-waste lines distinguish hand-made goods from other goods and both carry 8% duty from China, with no listed anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension. The table separates silk and silk-waste descriptions within those same tariff lines.

The tariff attaches cat and dog fur import and export controls and seal-product import controls to these lines. Cat and dog fur and products containing it are banned from import, export and sale. Seal products are restricted to limited exceptions; the traditional-hunt exemption requires a seal catch attestation. For a China shipment containing seal material, ask your customs broker to confirm eligibility and documents before ordering. Specify neckerchiefs without fur or seal-derived trims.

Confirm construction, fibre composition and hand-made status with your broker using finding your commodity code. Knitted scarves fall outside this heading. See the scarves and shawls guide for the wider product family.

Specify the silk, print and rolled hem

Write down the finished dimensions, weave, fabric weight, fibre composition, print method and colours. Specify whether the hem is hand-rolled or machine-finished, its appearance and the acceptable variation in size. Approve a finished sample with the printed border and corners visible.

Confirm the permitted fibre names for composition labels with Trading Standards, and ensure a silk claim matches the fabric. Test bulk fabric before printing labels. As the importer of a consumer product, you are responsible for ensuring it is safe to use. Agree colour-fastness checks for rubbing, perspiration and the intended cleaning method with a laboratory.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2,000 woven silk neckerchiefs; FOB value and freight are illustrative, not a quotation. under 6214 10 00 90, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,500. Duty at 8% is £520. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,020, so it is £1,404. Import taxes total £1,924; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £520 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Fabric and label: compare bulk fibre-test results with the sewn label and order; check weave, weight and handle against the approved sample.

Print and colour: check border alignment, print registration and shade across each design; test colour transfer when dry and damp.

Hem and shape: measure finished dimensions, check corners and rolled edges, and look for puckering, open stitching, snags and loose threads.

Packing and arrival: check for dampness, staining and crushed folds, and match design labels to the contents. Use quality inspection to agree the checks before dispatch.

What goes wrong

A fabric described as silk may contain substitute fibres, while an approved sample may differ from bulk fabric. Keep an approved fabric sample and test the production material before accepting the labels. A supplier's description is not a substitute for a bulk test.

Printed borders can sit unevenly beside the hem, and tight stitching can pucker the corners. Damp colour transfer can mark neighbouring fabric or clothing. Inspect finished neckerchiefs rather than unhemmed fabric alone, and agree how failed pieces will be handled before shipment.

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.