Sourcing textile polishing buffs from China
Textile polishing buffs from China generally carry 6% UK duty under heading 5911; specialised listed pads can be 0%, giving a 0% to 6% range. Match construction and use to the code, and assess UK REACH obligations for finishes and coatings. Cambridge China Bridge sources textile polishing buffs.
Usually 6%; specified polishing pads can be 0%
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 5911 covers textile products and articles for technical uses. Ordinary cloth buffs classified as other technical textile articles, and felt technical articles, carry 6% duty from China. The table is a classification shortlist, distinguishing these buffs from specialised polishing pads.
Self-adhesive circular pads for semiconductor wafer manufacture carry 0%. Listed multi-layered non-woven polyester pads impregnated with polyurethane have a standard 6% rate and a suspension to 0%. The recorded suspension footnote excludes mixtures, preparations or products made up of different components containing these products. The selected lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no attached import controls.
Confirm the commodity code using fibre composition, construction, impregnation, backing and intended use. Do not apply a specialised pad's rate simply because the invoice says polishing buff. 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; check applicability to cloth polishing buffs | 5911 90 99 90 | 6% | None |
| Felt technical articles; check applicability to felt polishing buffs | 5911 90 10 00 | 6% | None |
| Self-adhesive circular polishing pads for semiconductor wafer manufacture | 5911 90 91 00 | 0% | None |
| Multi-layered non-woven polyester polishing pads impregnated with polyurethane | 5911 90 99 40 | 6% | None |
Specify the buff construction and mounting
State whether the buff is loose-leaf cotton, stitched cloth or felt, and describe the workpiece material, polishing compound and required finish. Specify outside diameter, face width, centre bore, hub or mounting arrangement, cloth grade, layer count and stitching pattern. For felt, agree density and hardness against an approved sample.
Ask for the manufacturer's maximum operating speed and mounting instructions for the exact construction supplied. Businesses controlling work equipment have duties under the work equipment regulations. Plan trials with the equipment operator and agree the machine, compound, workpiece and acceptance criteria before approving the sample.
Ask for a UK REACH statement covering dyes, finishes, impregnation and adhesives. REACH restrictions can limit or prohibit placing substances on the market or using them. Assess the relevant restrictions for the supplied materials rather than treating a general supplier declaration as complete evidence.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of textile polishing buffs for a workshop supplier 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 diameter, face width and bore against the drawing; check hub seating and mounting fit on the intended equipment.
Construction: compare cloth or felt, layer count, stitching and stiffness with the approved sample; check loose seams, exposed metal and trapped debris.
Performance: run an agreed trial within the manufacturer's stated operating limits; check vibration, fibre shedding, compound retention, scratching and finish consistency.
Arrival: check damp packing, distorted hubs, crushed edges and mixed grades; match carton identification to the order and retain labelled samples.
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What goes wrong
A buff can match the outside dimensions yet behave differently because its cloth, stitching or felt density has changed. Uneven construction can cause vibration, loose stitching can release layers, and trapped grit can scratch the workpiece. Compare bulk samples with the approved sample using the same compound and workpiece.
The other costly mistake is assuming every polishing product qualifies for the suspended rate. Keep material and construction evidence with the classification decision. Use factory verification to check how the supplier controls cloth selection, stitching, hubs and batch separation.
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 polishing buffs from China?
Ordinary textile and felt technical articles carry 6%. Listed semiconductor wafer pads carry 0%, and specified polyurethane-impregnated polyester pads have a suspension to 0%. Confirm the exact code.
What specifications should I send a polishing buff factory?
Send fibre and construction, diameter, face width, bore, mounting details, layer count and stitching. Include the workpiece, compound, required finish and an approved sample.
How do I check whether a polishing buff suits my machine?
Check the bore, hub and mounting arrangement against the machine. Obtain the manufacturer's operating limits and trial the exact buff with the equipment operator before approving bulk supply.
How can I compare polishing buffs from different suppliers?
Use the same machine, compound and workpiece for agreed trials. Compare finish, scratching, vibration, shedding and wear, alongside construction and mounting fit.