Spun polyester and acrylic yarn from China
Yarn spun from synthetic staple fibres from China, such as spun polyester, acrylic and nylon yarn and their blends with cotton or wool, pays 4% UK duty with no anti-dumping duty when not put up for retail sale. The code follows the fibre and blend, and count, twist and strength are tested by ISO methods. Cambridge China Bridge sources yarn for knitters and weavers.
Spun polyester, acrylic and nylon yarn from China pays 4% UK duty. Codes by fibre and blend, fibre labelling, count and twist tests and a worked example.
A flat 4%
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, yarn of synthetic staple fibres of heading 5509, other than sewing thread and not put up for retail sale, carried 4% on goods from China on every line, with no anti-dumping measure. The code follows the main fibre and whether the yarn is single or folded: 85% or more polyester, acrylic or nylon staple, or a blend mixed mainly with cotton, wool or artificial fibres.
Yarn put up for retail sale, such as hand-knitting balls, is heading 5511, sewing thread is 5508, and filament yarn is covered in our synthetic filament yarn guide. The fibre itself is in our polyester staple fibre guide; confirm the commodity code from the blend.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| 85% or more polyester staple, single | 5509 21 00 00 | 4% | None |
| 85% or more polyester staple, folded or cabled | 5509 22 00 00 | 4% | None |
| 85% or more acrylic staple, single | 5509 31 00 00 | 4% | None |
| 85% or more acrylic staple, folded or cabled | 5509 32 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Polyester staple mixed mainly with cotton | 5509 53 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Acrylic staple mixed mainly with wool | 5509 61 00 00 | 4% | None |
Tests and labels
Yarn is specified by count, twist, strength and evenness. Linear density is measured by the skein method of ISO 2060, twist by ISO 2061 and single-end breaking force and elongation by ISO 2062, with evenness, hairiness and imperfections read on an evenness tester; fix the values and tolerances with the mill in the product specification, with the dye lot, cone weight and winding.
Yarn is a textile product, so fibre content in the UK must follow the names and rules of the [Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations 2012](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/1102/contents); ask for a fibre composition test on blends, and a colour fastness report for dyed yarn, before the goods are made into garments or sold on.
Worked duty example
For a made-up shipment of 18 tonnes of single spun polyester yarn on cones under 5509 21 00 00, add the £2,400 of freight and insurance to the £36,000 free-on-board price and customs sees £38,400. At 4%, duty on these spun polyester yarn is £1,536; import VAT of £7,987.20 is 20% of the value with duty added. Together that is £9,523.20, but a VAT-registered importer usually gets the VAT back. The duty and VAT guide walks through the calculation.
What goes wrong
Spun yarn fails on count, shade and blend. The count runs coarser or finer than ordered, so fabric weight and handle change; cones from different dye lots are mixed, which shows as barring in knitted fabric; blends carry less wool or cotton than the label claims; and uneven or hairy yarn pills early or breaks on the machine.
Test count, twist, strength and evenness on cones from several cartons, check shade under a light box against the approved lot and keep dye lots separate, test fibre content on blends, knit or weave a test panel before bulk use, and check cone weights, winding and moisture in the cartons.
Cambridge China Bridge sources spun yarn for knitters, weavers and garment makers, including repeat orders by the container. See our container programmes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on polyester yarn from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, yarn of synthetic staple fibres of heading 5509, not for retail sale, carried 4% from China.
Is hand-knitting yarn in the same heading?
No. Yarn put up for retail sale, such as balls and skeins, is heading 5511.
How do I check the yarn count is right?
Measure linear density by the skein method of ISO 2060 on cones from several cartons, and twist by ISO 2061.
Does the fibre content need a label?
Yes. Fibre names and percentages follow the Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations 2012.