Sourcing spun PBT staple yarn from China
Spun PBT staple yarn from China under heading 5509 pays a flat 4% UK duty across the relevant lines, with no trade remedy recorded. The heading excludes sewing thread and retail-packed yarn; classification follows fibre composition and yarn construction. Cambridge China Bridge sources spun PBT staple yarn.
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UK duty on spun PBT staple yarn
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 5509 covers synthetic staple-fibre yarn other than sewing thread, not put up for retail sale. PBT is polybutylene terephthalate, a polyester. The table covers polyester staple yarn and relevant blends. Confirm that the supplier is offering yarn spun from short fibres rather than continuous filament. See the wider spun yarn guide.
All lines in the supplied tariff record carry 4% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension recorded. The table rows have no attached controls. The heading also attaches CITES import and export controls to wool or fine-animal-hair blend lines. For a PBT blend containing animal fibre, identify the species and check any CITES permit requirement with your customs broker before importing from China.
Choose the code from the verified fibre percentages and whether the yarn is single, folded or cabled. Polyester staple content of 85% or more has separate single and folded lines; other blends depend on their composition. Confirm the commodity code before shipment.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single yarn containing at least 85% polyester staple fibres, including PBT | 5509 21 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Folded or cabled yarn containing at least 85% polyester staple fibres, including PBT | 5509 22 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Polyester staple yarn, including PBT, mixed mainly with artificial staple fibres | 5509 51 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Polyester staple yarn, including PBT, mixed mainly with cotton | 5509 53 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specify PBT content and recovery after processing
State the PBT content separately from other polyester fibres and identify every blending fibre. Specify yarn count and its measurement system, staple length, spinning method, twist direction, ply construction, breaking strength, elongation, evenness and hairiness. Agree tolerances with the mill rather than accepting a sample described only as stretch yarn.
Agree a knitting or weaving trial using your intended dyeing, finishing and washing process. Specify how stretch recovery, residual extension and dimensional change will be assessed against an approved panel. Record dye lot, shade, cone weight, winding and packing. Textile labelling must show fibre content; check the fibre description against the composition report.
Ask for the dyes and finishes used and test reports relevant to the intended application. UK REACH restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on substances. Have applicable chemical restrictions checked before approving the yarn for your end use.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2,400 kilograms of single spun PBT staple yarn on cones under 5509 21 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 results against the declared PBT content and each blending fibre, with matching batch references.
Yarn: check count, twist, strength, elongation, evenness and hairiness on cones drawn from different cartons.
Fabric trial: check recovery, residual extension, shrinkage and shade after the agreed processing and washing sequence.
Cones and cartons: check net yarn weight, winding, unwinding tension, dye-lot separation, batch identification and signs of moisture.
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What goes wrong
A supplier may offer filament yarn when the buyer needs spun staple yarn, or leave the PBT share unclear within a polyester blend. A sample can feel stretchy while the processed fabric fails the agreed recovery test. Approve the composition and processed trial panel together, and retain yarn from the approved batch.
Mixed dye lots can cause barring, uneven yarn can create fabric faults, and poor winding can interrupt production. Keep lots separate on arrival and trial the delivered yarn before bulk use. Record discrepancies through a quality inspection.
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 PBT staple yarn from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 4% on all heading 5509 lines, including the relevant polyester staple yarn lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension recorded.
Is spun PBT yarn the same as PBT filament yarn?
No. Spun staple yarn is made from short fibres; filament yarn uses continuous filaments. Ask for the fibre form and construction before confirming the commodity code.
How do I check the stretch recovery of spun PBT yarn?
Make a trial panel using your intended production process. Compare recovery and residual extension after agreed stretching, finishing and washing against the approved panel.
What fibre information should I request from the mill?
Request the PBT share, every blending fibre, a composition report and batch references. Check the textile fibre description against the report; labelling must show fibre content.