Sourcing telescopic folding umbrellas from China
Telescopic folding umbrellas from China carry a flat 4% UK duty under 6601 91 00 00, with no listed trade remedy. Consumer umbrellas sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use; qualifying textile canopies need fibre labelling. Cambridge China Bridge sources telescopic folding umbrellas.
A flat 4% duty on telescopic umbrellas
Heading 6601 covers umbrellas and sun umbrellas. Complete folding umbrellas having a telescopic shaft fall under 6601 91 00 00. The table shows purchasing variants sharing this tariff line, rather than separate commodity classifications. For other styles, see the umbrellas and parasols guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, telescopic-shaft umbrellas carried 4% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for this line. Import VAT is normally 20%; see the duty and VAT guide.
Confirm the commodity code using the finished umbrella's construction, including whether its shaft telescopes. Send your customs broker photographs and the specification before shipment. Separately supplied umbrella frames and parts belong to heading 6603, as explained in the published wider guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual telescopic folding umbrellas | 6601 91 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the folded shaft and opening mechanism
Specify folded length, open canopy diameter, weight, shaft material, telescopic joints, rib material and count. State whether the umbrella is manual, automatic-opening or automatic-opening and closing. Agree the force needed to reset the shaft, the locking action and the opening and closing test before approving a production sample.
Set canopy fibre composition, fabric weight, coating, seam construction, print position, handle material, wrist strap and sleeve fit. Confirm the fibre-labelling requirements for the umbrella covering with the relevant authority. For plastic or rubber handles in direct and prolonged skin contact, confirm applicable UK REACH restrictions on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with the relevant authority; request reports matching the handle material.
Consumer umbrellas supplied in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Include checks for runner pinch points, exposed rib ends and unexpected spring release in the sample review. Keep the approved sample and written acceptance criteria for the quality inspection.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 1,800 telescopic folding umbrellas, illustrative only under 6601 91 00 00, invoiced at £23,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £24,800. Duty at 4% is £992. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £25,792, so it is £5,158.40. Import taxes total £6,150.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £992 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Shaft and mechanism: repeatedly extend, open, close and reset sampled umbrellas against the agreed test. Check telescopic sections lock, the runner holds and automatic buttons work without sticking.
Frame and handle: inspect rivets, rib joints, tip caps, handle fixing and wrist straps. Check for sharp edges, pinch points, loose parts and rust; test claimed wind resistance against the agreed conditions.
Canopy and labels: spray samples and inspect seams and rib tips for leaks. Compare fabric, fibre labels, colours and panel print with the approved sample.
Packing and arrival: check folded umbrellas fit their sleeves without forcing them. On arrival, inspect for bent shafts, crushed ribs, damp fabric and carton damage before releasing stock.
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What goes wrong
A folding umbrella can open correctly yet fail when its shaft is compressed for reuse. Telescopic sections stick, catches slip and springs weaken. Thin ribs bend when the canopy turns inside out, while loose rivets let joints separate. Test the complete opening, closing and resetting sequence, rather than checking only the first opening.
Canopies leak around seams and tips, print shifts between panels and sleeves become too tight after folding. Compare production samples with the approved umbrella and record defects by component. Agree material changes and recheck the mechanism before accepting a replacement batch.
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 telescopic folding umbrellas from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 4% under 6601 91 00 00, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control.
Do folding umbrellas need fibre labels?
Confirm with the relevant authority whether the canopy needs fibre labelling and which fibre names to use. A fabric trade name alone does not identify the fibre.
How should I test an automatic folding umbrella?
Check opening, closing, shaft compression and resetting against an agreed cycle test. Look for sticking buttons, slipping locks, loose joints and excessive reset force.
Does a windproof claim prove the umbrella is suitable?
Ask for a test matching the finished frame and canopy. Agree the test conditions and acceptable damage, then inspect ribs, rivets and shaft locks after testing.