Sourcing spun polyimide yarn from China
Spun polyimide yarn from China under heading 5509 pays a flat 4% UK duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty shown. The heading excludes sewing thread and retail yarn. Confirm the fibre blend and yarn construction, and use accurate fibre-content labelling. Cambridge China Bridge sources spun polyimide yarn.
Duty and classification for spun polyimide yarn
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 5509 covers yarn of synthetic staple fibres, excluding sewing thread and yarn put up for retail sale. All supplied lines carry 4% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension shown. Spun polyimide yarn needs classification from its full composition and whether it is single, folded or cabled.
The selected lines have no tariff-attached controls recorded. Elsewhere in the heading, wool or fine-animal-hair blend lines carry CITES import and export controls. If a proposed polyimide blend includes animal hair, confirm the species and the China import requirements with your customs broker. An import permit is required for CITES specimens.
Use the table as possible classifications, then confirm the commodity code using the composition report, staple construction and packaging. Continuous filament yarn needs a separate classification check. For wider heading coverage, see spun aramid yarn.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single polyimide yarn, containing at least 85% synthetic staple fibres | 5509 41 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Folded or cabled polyimide yarn, containing at least 85% synthetic staple fibres | 5509 42 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Other polyimide staple yarn mixed mainly or solely with cotton | 5509 92 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Other polyimide staple yarn blends outside the named blend categories | 5509 99 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the polyimide fibre and heat exposure
Specify the polyimide fibre grade, staple construction and complete blend by weight. Agree yarn count, twist direction, ply construction, breaking force, elongation, evenness and hairiness. Include cone dimensions, net yarn weight, winding tension, finish and batch identification. Ask the mill to retain a reference sample from the approved production lot.
For heat-related applications, agree the exposure conditions and the strength and dimensional change acceptable afterwards. Ask for reports identifying the tested fibre grade and yarn blend. A fibre datasheet alone does not establish the performance of the supplied yarn or finished fabric. Trial the yarn on your knitting or weaving equipment before approving bulk production.
Fibre-content labelling is required for textile products sold in Great Britain. Check that the composition information describes the supplied blend accurately. Treat supplier trade names as identification information, and check the appropriate fibre name before preparing sales labels.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 200 kg of single spun polyimide yarn on cones under 5509 41 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
Identity: compare batch records and laboratory fibre identification with the agreed polyimide grade and blend; do not accept colour as proof of fibre identity.
Yarn: sample cones across cartons and check count, twist, breaking force, elongation, evenness and hairiness against the approved specification.
Heat performance: compare retained strength and dimensional change after the agreed exposure; check that reports match the delivered material.
Cones and packing: check net yarn weight, winding, damaged edges, contamination and moisture; keep batches identifiable during storage and production.
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What goes wrong
A different fibre grade or an undisclosed blend can leave the yarn looking acceptable while changing its response to heat. Reports for the raw fibre may be presented as evidence for the yarn. Require sample identification and test conditions, and compare the delivered lot with the approved sample.
Uneven twist, excessive hairiness and tight or loose winding can cause breaks and inconsistent fabric. Mixing lots makes faults harder to trace. Keep suspect cones separate, record the carton and batch details, and resolve the cause before using the rest of the shipment.
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 polyimide yarn from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 4% duty across heading 5509, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. Confirm the code from the yarn construction and complete blend.
Is spun polyimide yarn classified like polyimide filament yarn?
No. Heading 5509 covers synthetic staple yarn, excluding sewing thread and retail yarn. Confirm whether the product is spun from staple fibres or made from continuous filaments.
Can I accept a fibre datasheet as a yarn heat test?
Use it to identify the proposed grade, then request evidence for the actual yarn blend under your agreed exposure conditions. Check retained strength and dimensional change.
What should I check before selling spun polyimide yarn?
Check fibre-content labelling and verify the actual blend. Match composition records to the delivered batch, and confirm the appropriate fibre name before preparing sales labels.