Sourcing textile sofa arm protectors from China
Textile sofa arm protectors from China under heading 6304 carry a flat 12% UK duty, with no trade remedy or suspension recorded. Fibre content must be labelled. Check whether the design is a loose or stretch furniture cover within the furniture fire rules before approving bulk production. Cambridge China Bridge sources textile sofa arm protectors.
A flat 12% duty on textile arm protectors
Heading 6304 covers other furnishing articles, excluding those of heading 9404. For textile sofa arm protectors, distinguish knitted or crocheted construction from woven or nonwoven fabric, then identify the fibre material. See the sofa slipcovers guide for the wider furniture-cover family.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, all listed heading 6304 lines carry 12% duty for goods from China. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension is recorded. The selected lines have no attached import controls; some other-material lines have CITES import control. Permits are required for species listed in Annex A, B or C. If considering those materials, confirm the species and applicable Chinese export and UK import documentation with your customs broker before ordering.
Confirm the commodity code using the finished article, fabric construction and fibre composition. Send the broker photographs, the material breakdown and details of any backing or filling rather than relying on the supplier's description.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knitted or crocheted textile sofa arm protectors | 6304 91 00 00 | 12% | None |
| Woven cotton sofa arm protectors, other than batik | 6304 92 00 90 | 12% | None |
| Nonwoven synthetic-fibre sofa arm protectors | 6304 93 00 10 | 12% | None |
| Woven synthetic-fibre sofa arm protectors | 6304 93 00 90 | 12% | None |
| Woven flax or ramie sofa arm protectors | 6304 99 00 10 | 12% | None |
| Woven wool or artificial-fibre sofa arm protectors | 6304 99 00 92 | 12% | None |
Specify the arm shape, fabric and grip
Specify whether the protector drapes over the arm or forms a fitted pocket. Record the arm width, front profile, covered length, side drop and seam position against the actual sofa. State whether protectors are supplied individually or as matching pairs, and whether the fabric has a directional pile or pattern.
Agree fibre composition, fabric weight, stretch recovery, backing, binding and washing instructions. Test any grip backing against the intended upholstery for slipping, marking and colour transfer. Approve a washed sample on the target arm before bulk production.
Fibre content must be labelled. Confirm with Trading Standards whether loose and stretch furniture covers fall within the furniture fire rules and whether separately sold decorative cushion covers are excluded. Do not assume that any exclusion applies to an arm protector. Confirm the product's fire scope and any applicable match-test evidence and label requirements with Trading Standards, using testing and certification to arrange supporting checks.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 6,000 woven cotton sofa arm protectors 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: measure finished protectors and fit samples to the approved arm shape, checking front coverage, side drop and movement during use.
Fabric: compare shade, pile direction and feel across cartons; check washing shrinkage, rubbing colour transfer, shedding and pilling against the approved sample.
Construction: inspect bindings, corners and seams for open stitching; stretch elastic edges and check recovery; examine grip backing for peeling or transfer.
Labels and packing: check fibre labels, agreed care instructions, applicable fire evidence and labels, matching pairs and carton identification during quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A protector can match the flat drawing yet slide off a rounded arm. Tight elastic can distort seams, while shrinkage can leave the front edge exposed after washing. Check the finished and washed samples on the intended sofa rather than accepting a fabric swatch alone.
Dark dyes can transfer to pale upholstery, grip coatings can leave marks, and chenille can shed or pill where hands rub it. Mismatched pile direction makes paired protectors look different. Include these checks in the acceptance specification and keep an approved sample for comparison.
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 sofa arm protectors from China?
The relevant heading 6304 lines carry 12% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension.
Do sofa arm protectors need fire testing?
Check whether the design is a loose or stretch furniture cover. Confirm with Trading Standards whether the furniture fire rules apply. Settle the scope and applicable testing before production; do not assume that any exclusion for separately sold cushion covers applies to an arm protector.
Which commodity code applies to cotton arm protectors?
Woven cotton arm protectors other than batik are candidates for 6304 92 00 90. Knitted or crocheted protectors are candidates for 6304 91 00 00. Confirm classification against the finished product.
How do I check that arm protectors stay in place?
Fit the finished sample to the target sofa arm, simulate normal use and repeat after washing. Check side drop, elastic recovery and grip backing, including whether the backing marks the upholstery.