Sourcing textile curtain valances from China

UK duty on textile curtain valances

Heading 6303 covers curtains, drapes, interior blinds and curtain or bed valances. This guide concerns finished textile curtain valances fitted across the top of a window. The curtains and blinds guide covers the wider heading.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the supplied lines carry 12% duty for goods from China, except the nonwoven lines at 6%. The snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls.

Confirm the commodity code using the finished article, fibre composition and whether the fabric is knitted, crocheted, woven or nonwoven. Give your customs broker the fabric specification and product photographs rather than relying on the supplier's description of a decorative pelmet.

Specify the valance shape and mounting

Specify flat fabric width and installed width separately, finished drop, side returns, pleat layout, scallop shape and pattern position. State whether mounting uses a rod pocket, heading tape or hook-and-loop fastening. Approve a sample on the intended support so that fullness, corner fit and the visible lower edge can be checked.

Agree face fabric, lining, trim, colour, care method and acceptable dimensional change after cleaning. For sales in Great Britain, textile valances need a fibre composition label; confirm label durability and legibility requirements with the relevant authority. Consumer products must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use; check mounting security and accessible trims as part of the product assessment.

For hotel and other contract orders, agree the buyer's fire performance specification before selecting the fabric. Ask for reports matching the supplied fabric and finish, with washing durability where the buyer specifies it. Keep the approved fabric, lining and trim sample with the order specification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 800 woven polyester curtain valances (illustrative order) under 6303 92 90 90, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,800. Duty at 12% is £1,176. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,976, so it is £2,195.20. Import taxes total £3,371.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,176 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Dimensions: check flat and installed width, drop, returns, rod-pocket clearance and pleat positions against the approved drawing. Hang the valance to check scallop symmetry and whether seams twist.

Fabric and lining: compare shade and pattern placement across cartons and against the matching curtains. Clean a finished sample by the agreed care method and check differential shrinkage, puckering and colour transfer.

Attachments: check heading-tape stitching, pocket seams, fastening adhesion and trim attachment. Examine the finished article for loose threads, sharp fittings and retained sewing needles.

Labels and records: check fibre labels against the agreed composition and match carton contents to the size schedule. For contract orders, check that the supplied fire reports identify the approved fabric and finish. Record findings at quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A factory may quote the flat fabric width while the buyer expects the gathered installed width, leaving the valance too narrow. Uneven scallops, misplaced pattern repeats and incorrect returns become obvious only when hung. Confirm both widths and approve a mounted sample before bulk production.

Lining that shrinks differently can curl the lower edge, while loosely attached fringe can detach during handling. Valances and matching curtains made from different dye batches can show a shade difference. Compare them together, test the agreed cleaning method and retain batch identification for repeat orders.

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.