Sourcing stitched patchwork rugs from China
Stitched textile patchwork rugs classified under heading 5705 carry a flat 8% UK duty from China, with no anti-dumping duty in the supplied tariff record. Consumer rugs must be safe in Great Britain, and textile labels must show fibre content. Confirm with the relevant authority how the use-surface composition should be labelled. Cambridge China Bridge sources stitched textile patchwork rugs.
A flat 8% duty
Heading 5705 covers other carpets and textile floor coverings, whether or not made up. This guide concerns rugs assembled from textile patches by stitching. Confirm the finished construction rather than relying on the supplier's description of patchwork. Send face and reverse photographs, material details and a seam sample when checking your commodity code. See the wider rugs and bath mats guide for other products in this heading.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, all the selected lines carried 8% duty for goods from China. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. The relevant distinctions are man-made versus other textile materials and hand-made versus other production.
The other-textile lines attach cat-and-dog-fur import controls and CITES controls. Cat and dog fur products are banned from import. For potentially CITES-listed materials from China, confirm the species and permit requirement with your customs broker before ordering. Listed Annex A, B or C species require a permit. The record also lists a DCMS export licence and, on other-textile lines, CITES and fur export controls; ask your broker to confirm requirements before any onward export.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Man-made textile patchwork rugs, hand-made | 5705 00 30 10 | 8% | None |
| Man-made textile patchwork rugs, other | 5705 00 30 90 | 8% | None |
| Other textile patchwork rugs, hand-made | 5705 00 80 91 | 8% | None |
| Other textile patchwork rugs, other | 5705 00 80 99 | 8% | None |
Specify the patches, seams and backing
Approve a patch layout showing fabric types, colour placement, patch dimensions and acceptable variation. State whether patches are new fabric or reclaimed textiles. Agree seam construction, seam allowance, thread, edge binding, backing material and finished dimensions. Keep an approved sample showing both faces and the joins.
For mixed fabrics, agree a cleaning method that suits the whole rug. Test contrasting patches together for colour transfer and uneven shrinkage. Consumer rugs supplied in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Textile labels must show fibre content; confirm with the relevant authority how the use surface should be described, and check the patch materials against the proposed label rather than accepting the backing composition.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 50 stitched polyester patchwork rugs, illustrative order under 5705 00 30 90, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £1,960 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,960. Duty at 8% is £476.80. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,436.80, so it is £1,287.36. Import taxes total £1,764.16; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £476.80 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Layout and materials: compare patch placement, colours, fabric feel and finished dimensions with the approved sample; check the use-surface fibre label against the material records.
Stitching and edges: pull across joins to check for opening, skipped stitches and fabric tearing; inspect seam intersections, binding ends and loose threads.
Cleaning and shape: clean samples by the agreed method; check dark patches for bleeding onto pale neighbours, seam puckering, patch shrinkage and curled edges.
Backing and arrival: lay rugs flat on the intended flooring, check sliding and floor marking, inspect backing adhesion, and open cartons for dampness, mould and crushed folds.
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What goes wrong
A patchwork rug can look acceptable before cleaning but pucker afterwards because its fabrics shrink differently. Narrow seam allowances can fray or pull apart, while bulky seam intersections create raised areas. Dark reclaimed patches may stain neighbouring pale fabric. Check these risks on a finished sample with the intended backing.
Changing the patch mix during production can change appearance, cleaning behaviour and fibre composition. Agree which substitutions need your approval and retain material records for each batch. Put seam, cleaning and flatness checks into the inspection brief, including checks after unpacking and laying the rugs flat.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on stitched patchwork rugs from China?
The selected heading 5705 lines carry 8% duty from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.
Does a patchwork rug automatically belong in heading 5705?
Confirm the finished construction and materials. Patchwork describes the appearance and assembly; give your customs broker face and reverse photographs and a seam sample.
What fibre label does a stitched patchwork rug need?
For floor coverings, confirm with the relevant authority how to label the fibre composition of the use surface. Check the patch fabrics against the label; the backing composition alone does not describe the face.
How do I check whether patchwork seams will last?
Pull across joins, inspect seam allowances and intersections, then clean a finished sample by the agreed method. Look for opening seams, fraying, puckering and unequal patch shrinkage.