Sourcing spun nylon staple yarn from China
Spun nylon staple yarn from China under heading 5509 carries a flat 4% UK duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. The code depends on fibre composition and whether the yarn is single or folded; textile fibre labelling rules also apply. Cambridge China Bridge sources spun nylon staple yarn.
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Spun nylon staple yarn: 4% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 9 November 2026, heading 5509 covers synthetic staple-fibre yarn other than sewing thread, not put up for retail sale. Single yarn containing 85% or more nylon or other polyamide staple fibres falls under 5509 11 00 00; folded or cabled yarn falls under 5509 12 00 00. Filament yarn and retail knitting yarn need different classification.
All relevant lines carry 4% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff records show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. The table lines have no attached controls. The wool or fine-animal-hair blend line carries CITES import and export controls. If a blend contains material from a CITES-listed species, permit requirements apply to imports into Great Britain; confirm the species and required documents with your customs broker before ordering.
For blends, give your broker the complete fibre percentages, staple construction, single or folded form and packaging, then confirm the commodity code. The blend rows are conditional classification options. See the wider synthetic staple yarn guide for the rest of the heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single yarn containing at least 85% nylon or other polyamide staple fibres | 5509 11 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Folded or cabled yarn containing at least 85% nylon or other polyamide staple fibres | 5509 12 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Other staple yarn, including eligible nylon blends mixed mainly with cotton | 5509 92 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Other staple yarn, including eligible nylon blends not covered elsewhere | 5509 99 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the nylon blend, count and winding
Specify spun staple construction explicitly, so the mill does not quote filament yarn. Agree the nylon content and any cotton or wool content, yarn count, twist direction, single or folded construction, breaking strength, elongation, evenness and acceptable hairiness. Record whether the yarn is undyed or dyed, the approved shade, dye-lot separation, net cone weight, cone dimensions and winding suitable for your machines.
Use the approved sample to set tolerances in the product specification. Test count, twist and strength on production cones, and knit or weave a trial panel before accepting bulk supply. Fibre-content labelling rules apply in Great Britain; check that the declared composition agrees with the blend test.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: A trial batch of single spun nylon staple yarn on cones (illustrative) under 5509 11 00 00, invoiced at £16,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,200. Duty at 4% is £688. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £17,888, so it is £3,577.60. Import taxes total £4,265.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £688 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Composition: check laboratory fibre results against the order and declared content, especially where cotton or wool is blended with nylon.
Yarn performance: check count, twist, breaking strength, elongation, evenness and hairiness across cones from different cartons.
Shade: compare cones with the approved sample under a light box, keep dye lots separate and inspect a trial panel for barring.
Cones and cartons: check net yarn weight, winding, damaged cones, mixed lot labels and damp packaging; test unwinding on your machine.
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What goes wrong
A filament sample can be mistaken for spun nylon if the order says only nylon yarn. Uneven count changes fabric weight and handle, excessive hairiness affects surface appearance, and inconsistent twist or winding can cause breaks during processing. Compare the production yarn with the approved construction and machine trial.
Mixed dye lots can produce visible bands even when individual cones look acceptable. A blend that differs from the declaration can also undermine labelling and classification. Keep suspect cartons separate, retain samples by lot and resolve the discrepancy before combining stock or releasing it to production.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on spun nylon yarn from China?
The supplied tariff records show 4% duty for spun nylon staple yarn under heading 5509, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded.
Is spun nylon yarn classified with nylon filament yarn?
No. Heading 5509 covers yarn made from staple fibres, excluding sewing thread and retail-packed yarn. Confirm the construction and packaging before choosing the code.
How do I check spun nylon yarn quality?
Test count, twist, strength, elongation and evenness on production cones. Compare shade by dye lot and knit or weave a trial panel before bulk use.
Does spun nylon yarn need fibre-content labelling?
Textile fibre-content labelling rules apply in Great Britain. Check the declared composition against the order and laboratory results, particularly for blends.