Sourcing textile piano covers from China
Textile piano covers from China carry a flat 12% UK duty across the relevant heading 6304 lines. Fibre labels must show composition, and consumer covers sold in Great Britain must be safe. Specify the piano shape, lining and cleaning method before approving samples. Cambridge China Bridge sources textile piano covers.
UK duty on textile piano covers
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the relevant heading 6304 lines carry 12% duty for goods from China. The heading covers other furnishing articles, excluding those of heading 9404. For textile piano covers, the candidate line depends on fibre composition and whether the fabric is knitted, crocheted, woven or nonwoven.
The supplied snapshot records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. CITES import controls appear on 6304 99 00 99 and the other-material nonwoven line 6304 99 00 91. If materials involve species listed in the relevant CITES annexes, obtain the required permits before importing from China. Ask your customs broker to confirm applicability to the actual materials.
Give your broker the intended use, fabric construction, fibre composition, lining details and a sample to confirm the commodity code. For the wider furnishing heading, see sofa slipcovers.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knitted or crocheted textile piano covers | 6304 91 00 00 | 12% | None |
| Cotton piano covers, not knitted or crocheted, other | 6304 92 00 90 | 12% | None |
| Synthetic nonwoven piano covers | 6304 93 00 10 | 12% | None |
| Other synthetic-fibre piano covers, not knitted or crocheted | 6304 93 00 90 | 12% | None |
| Wool or artificial-fibre piano covers, not knitted or crocheted | 6304 99 00 92 | 12% | None |
| Other textile piano covers, not knitted or crocheted | 6304 99 00 99 | 12% | None |
Specify the piano shape and contact lining
Identify the upright or grand piano models to be covered. Supply a dimensioned drawing showing the top outline, rear profile, drop length and any openings around the music desk. State whether fitting assumes the lid is closed. Approve a complete sample on the intended piano rather than relying on a nominal size.
Specify outer fabric, fibre blend, weight, lining, seam positions, binding and closures. Choose a contact surface that does not shed onto keys or expose hard fasteners to the finish. Agree cleaning instructions after sample trials. Fibre labels must show composition, and consumer covers supplied in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 800 cotton piano covers, illustrative order only under 6304 92 00 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
Fit: compare the finished cover with the approved drawing and fit sample; check corners, rear coverage, drop length and ease of removal.
Contact surface: inspect the lining for grit, loose fibres and exposed fasteners; trial rubbing and colour transfer on a representative finish sample.
Seams and cleaning: check stitching, binding and closure attachment, then clean a complete sample as instructed and recheck fit, shedding and seam distortion.
Labels and packing: match fibre wording to the agreed composition, check model identification and care wording, and inspect across cartons for shade differences, dampness and damaged covers. Record findings through the inspection process.
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What goes wrong
A generic rectangular pattern can leave an upright piano's rear exposed or pull tight over a grand piano's curved rim. Shrinkage can make a previously acceptable cover difficult to remove. Agree the outline and cleaning trial before approving bulk fabric, and retain the fitted sample for comparison.
Dark fabric can transfer colour, a brushed lining can shed, and exposed zip teeth or trapped grit can mark the piano finish. Test the complete assembly against a representative finish sample. Ask for evidence supporting any waterproof or flame-resistant claim for the actual fabric and construction.
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 piano covers from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot shows 12% across the relevant heading 6304 lines, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. Confirm the code from the cover's material and construction.
What measurements does a factory need for a piano cover?
Provide the piano model, top outline, rear profile, drop length and openings around the music desk. State the lid position for fitting and approve a complete sample on the intended piano.
Do textile piano covers need fibre labels?
Textile labelling guidance requires the label to show fibre content. Check the wording against the agreed composition and keep care instructions consistent with trials on the complete cover.
How do I check that a piano cover will not mark the finish?
Trial the complete cover on a representative finish sample. Check dye transfer, lining shedding, trapped grit and exposed fasteners, including after the agreed cleaning process.