Sourcing silk organza fabric from China

Silk organza duty and classification

Heading 5007 covers woven fabrics of silk or silk waste. For silk organza, consider the diaphanous open-weave lines where the construction fits that description. Other unbleached or dyed silk lines may be relevant where it does not. The table shows candidate lines for fabrics containing 85% or more silk or silk waste other than noil silk.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, all the candidate lines shown carried 6% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. The wider heading includes rates from 2% to 6%; those lower rates should not be assumed for organza.

Confirm the commodity code using fibre composition, weave, finish and whether the fabric is handwoven. A supplier's organza description alone is insufficient. See the silk georgette guide for wider heading context.

Specify organza crispness and transparency

Specify silk content, plain-weave construction, usable width, momme weight, colour and finish. Approve a sample for transparency, crispness and recovery after folding. Compare samples over the same background, because organza's appearance changes with the backing and the number of layers.

Agree fibre-content testing, mass per unit area, seam slippage and colour fastness for the intended garment. For dyed silk, confirm applicable UK REACH dye restrictions and suitable testing with HSE; consult the site's silk fabric guide. For sales in Great Britain, textile labels must show fibre content, including fur and other animal parts where present.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 3,000 square metres of silk organza, subject to code confirmation under 5007 20 41 90, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £24,900. Duty at 6% is £1,494. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £26,394, so it is £5,278.80. Import taxes total £6,772.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,494 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Construction: compare fibre results, weight, usable width and yarn spacing with the approved sample.

Appearance: inspect against a lighted background for missing yarns, snags, slubs, holes and uneven transparency.

Handle and colour: compare crispness and shade across the width and between rolls; check whether folding leaves persistent creases.

Packing: check roll lengths and dye-lot identification, dry protective bags and tubes that prevent crushing.

What goes wrong

A sample can have the right crisp handle while the bulk fabric feels limp or excessively stiff. Finishing agents can disguise differences in weight and handle. Retain an approved sample and compare production fabric after the agreed care treatment before accepting the lot.

Sheer fabric exposes yarn faults and shade differences when layered. Snags, water marks and crushed folds can make otherwise usable rolls unsuitable for visible panels. Record defects by roll and agree how affected lengths will be handled before cutting.

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.