Sourcing tailors' chalk from China

Duty on tailors' chalk

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 9609 covers pencils, crayons, pencil leads, pastels, drawing charcoals, writing or drawing chalks and tailors' chalks. Tailors' chalk falls within the other category, 9609 90 90 00, carrying 0% duty on goods from China.

The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for this line. The table shows product variants sharing this commodity line. For the wider heading, see soft drawing pastels.

Confirm the commodity code using the composition, physical form and intended use, especially for marking pencils or mixed sewing sets. Do not assume every fabric-marking product belongs to the loose chalk line.

Specify the mark and its removal

Specify the chalk composition, colour, shape, edge profile, hardness and individual wrapping. Give the factory fabric swatches covering your intended uses, including pale fabrics and textured cloth. Agree how clearly the chalk must mark, how much dust is acceptable and whether removal is by brushing or washing.

Approve samples after the intended pressing and cleaning process. Ask for composition information rather than accepting an unsupported non-toxic claim. For chalk sold for consumer use in Great Britain, general product safety rules require safety in normal or reasonably foreseeable use.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small-business order of boxed tailors' chalk under 9609 90 90 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,500, so it is £900. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Marking: draw along and across the grain of approved fabrics; compare line visibility, width, drag and dust with the approved sample.

Removal: brush or wash marks using the agreed method, including after pressing; inspect for remaining colour, oily shadows and transfer.

Breakage: open sampled cartons on arrival; check chipped edges, cracks, loose powder and protection between pieces.

Packing: check colour assortments, pack contents and printed removal instructions against the approved specification.

What goes wrong

Chalk can crumble before reaching the cutting table, drag across delicate fabric or leave marks that survive cleaning. A sample that works on cotton may behave differently on lining or wool. Treat removal claims as fabric-specific and test the intended process before approving production.

Separate damaged pieces on arrival and retain samples of disputed batches. Compare bulk goods with the approved sample through a quality inspection, including a repeat marking and removal trial.

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.