Sourcing textile altar frontals from China

A flat 12% across the relevant textile lines

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6304 covers other furnishing articles, excluding those of heading 9404. This guide concerns textile panels hanging across the front of an altar. The relevant distinctions are fabric construction and fibre composition. See textile lectern covers for the wider heading.

The supplied record shows 12% duty for all the relevant lines from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension. It attaches CITES import controls to some residual material lines, including 6304 99 00 99. If materials are from species listed in Annex A or B, obtain CITES permits and confirm the species-specific import requirements with APHA and your customs broker.

Confirm the commodity code using the finished frontal's composition and construction. Give your broker details of the face fabric, lining, embroidery and trims, particularly for mixed-material products. Do not select a code solely from the supplier's description of the fabric as satin or brocade.

Specify altar fit, hanging and embroidery

Agree the finished width, drop, top attachment and any side returns against the actual altar. State whether the frontal uses a rod pocket, ties or a hook-and-loop strip. Specify face fabric, lining, fabric weight, hem construction and pattern direction. Approve a hanging sample so the lower edge, corners and central motif can be assessed in position.

Approve each liturgical colour against a retained fabric sample. Provide artwork showing the orientation and placement of crosses, lettering and other motifs. Agree thread appearance, embroidery backing and whether the reverse remains visible. Textile labels must show fibre content. Agree cleaning instructions after testing the complete sample, including lining and decorative threads, and ask the venue what fire-performance evidence it expects.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 600 plain cotton altar frontals for a church-supply business; illustrative order under 6304 92 00 90, invoiced at £7,500 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £8,400. Duty at 12% is £1,008. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,408, so it is £1,881.60. Import taxes total £2,889.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,008 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Fit: measure finished width and drop; hang the frontal using its supplied attachment and check that the hem sits level and the motif is centred.

Fabric and colour: compare face fabric, lining, shade and pattern direction with the approved sample; check opacity under the intended lighting.

Embroidery and finish: inspect lettering, motif orientation, puckering, loose threads and exposed backing; check hems, attachment stitching and trim security.

Cleaning and packing: check colour transfer, shrinkage and drape after the agreed cleaning process; verify fibre information and inspect for dampness, crushed embroidery and persistent fold marks. Use a documented inspection.

What goes wrong

A frontal can measure correctly on a table but hang unevenly because the attachment stretches or the lining pulls against the face fabric. Dense embroidery can pucker the centre, while an incorrectly positioned motif becomes obvious when hung. Approve the complete construction in position and compare production samples with it.

Different fabric lots can produce mismatched liturgical colours, and cleaning can cause decorative threads to bleed onto pale fabric. Pressing or tight packing can flatten raised embroidery. Test finished samples using the intended cleaning process and agree packing that protects the embroidery before shipment.

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.