Sourcing textile joint bellows from China
Relevant heading 5911 lines carry 4% to 6% UK duty from China; finished textile bellows in the other technical-article line carry 6%, subject to classification. Confirm the construction and whether pressure-equipment rules apply before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources textile expansion-joint bellows.
6% for other technical textile articles
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 5911 covers textile products and articles for technical uses. For textile expansion-joint bellows, distinguish finished technical articles from fabric inputs and separately supplied felt articles. The table repeats the other technical-article code for different bellows configurations; these are classification candidates, not automatic assignments.
The listed other technical articles and felt articles carry 6% duty from China; qualifying coated or laminated technical fabrics carry 4%. These lines have no listed anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls in the supplied facts. Elsewhere in the heading, suspensions concern specified membrane parts, polishing pads and loudspeaker dampers, rather than bellows.
Confirm the commodity code using the drawing, textile composition, coatings, layer construction and supplied form. Describe any metal frame or other components supplied with the bellows. For the wider heading, see filter cloth and technical textiles.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other technical textile articles: belt-type bellows, subject to classification | 5911 90 99 90 | 6% | None |
| Technical articles of felt: check applicability to felt bellows components | 5911 90 10 00 | 6% | None |
| Coated or laminated technical fabrics: check applicability to bellows-making material | 5911 10 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the layers, movement and duct interface
State whether you need an open belt or a closed formed bellows. Specify each textile, coating, gas-sealing layer and insulation layer, including their order and orientation. Give the gas composition, moisture, dust loading, continuous and peak temperatures, pressure and vacuum conditions. Define axial, lateral and angular movement, including movements occurring together.
Send the installed gap, duct opening, corner shape, flange dimensions, bolt-hole pattern, clamping arrangement and internal liner drawing. State whether frames, clamps and insulation pillows are included. Agree leakage and movement tests on the supplied construction, with acceptance criteria and batch identification.
For Great Britain, assess pressure-equipment scope before sale: the rules cover pressure equipment with maximum allowable pressure above 0.5 bar, subject to exclusions, and piping can include expansion joints. Where applicable, importers must check the required manufacturer conformity assessment and provide their identification and postal address. They must also ensure instructions are in clear, legible and easily understandable English. Ask for a UK REACH statement covering coatings and finishes.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of replacement textile expansion-joint bellows under 5911 90 99 90, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £15,200. Duty at 6% is £912. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £16,112, so it is £3,222.40. Import taxes total £4,134.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £912 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: measure the finished opening, installed length, corners, flange edges and hole positions against the approved drawing; trial-fit the clamping interface.
Layers: compare material identities, thicknesses, layer order and orientation with the approved sample and batch records; inspect coating continuity and exposed edges.
Sealing and movement: inspect seams, overlaps and closures; witness the agreed leakage and movement tests on the ordered construction rather than a different catalogue model.
Arrival: check for damp insulation, crushed folds, abrasion, punctures and mixed sizes; match each item to its drawing and retain labelled samples. Use a written inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A bellows can match the duct opening yet have too little free material to accommodate movement. Incorrect corner geometry, misplaced seams or uneven clamping can create leakage paths. Missing insulation or a substituted coating can leave the sealing layer exposed to conditions it was not selected to withstand.
A temperature claim for the base cloth does not establish the performance of the complete bellows. Compare evidence for coatings, seams and the assembled layer stack, and have the equipment designer approve substitutions. Check the factory's cutting, joining and test capability through factory verification.
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 textile expansion-joint bellows from China?
The other technical textile-article line carries 6%; qualifying technical fabric inputs carry 4%. The selected lines have no listed trade remedies or suspensions. Confirm the finished product's code.
Do textile expansion-joint bellows need pressure-equipment checks?
Assess the intended service. Pressure-equipment rules cover maximum allowable pressure above 0.5 bar, subject to exclusions; piping can include expansion joints. Confirm scope and classification with the equipment designer.
What drawing should I send a Chinese bellows factory?
Show the duct opening, installed gap, corners, flange and clamp details, hole positions and liner. Include layer construction, temperature, pressure, vacuum and the required movements.
How do I check a replacement bellows will fit?
Measure the actual installation and compare it with the finished drawing. Trial-fit the clamping interface and check available movement, seam position and liner clearance before approving the bulk.