Sourcing textile-upper bowling shoes from China
Textile-upper bowling shoes from China carry 16% UK duty across the listed sole categories, so there is no rate spread. Confirm classification from the finished shoe rather than its sporting name. Confirm footwear composition-labelling requirements with the relevant authority, and importers must ensure consumer safety. Cambridge China Bridge sources textile-upper bowling shoes.
Sole construction and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6404 covers textile-upper footwear with rubber, plastic, leather or composition leather outer soles. The supplied lines all carry 16% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. The table gives classification alternatives, not confirmed bowling-shoe classifications; leather and composition leather share a code.
The tariff attaches seal-product controls throughout, CITES import and export controls to the other-footwear lines, cat and dog fur controls to leather-soled lines, and fluorinated greenhouse gas import controls to the sports line. Cat and dog fur imports are banned. Endangered-animal skin products need a valid permit. Seal products for trade need an applicable exemption and a seal catch certificate. For a China shipment, have the broker confirm applicability and documents, including the fluorinated gas control.
Send the broker the finished sample, upper composition, outer-sole materials and intended use before choosing a commodity code. Do not choose the sports line just because the shoe is for bowling. The textile ballet shoes guide gives wider heading context.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Textile-upper shoes with rubber or plastic soles, if classified as sports footwear | 6404 11 00 00 | 16% | None |
| Other textile-upper shoes with rubber or plastic outer soles | 6404 19 90 00 | 16% | None |
| Textile-upper shoes with leather outer soles, other than indoor footwear | 6404 20 90 00 | 16% | None |
Specify the slide sole and braking heel
State whether the shoes are for venue hire or individual players, whether slide surfaces are fitted to both shoes or assigned by handedness, and whether pads are fixed or replaceable. Specify upper fabric, lining, fastening, heel construction, sole attachment and the size curve. Approve fit samples and test sliding and braking on the intended approach surface.
Confirm with the relevant authority the composition-labelling requirements for footwear sold in the UK, including how to identify the upper, lining and sock, and outer sole materials. Match the artwork to the agreed materials. Importers are responsible for consumer safety; retain the sample specification and test findings. Agree checks for sole bonding, pad retention and colour transfer with the testing service.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small-business stock order of bowling-shoe pairs across an agreed size run under 6404 19 90 00, invoiced at £10,000 free on board, with £1,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £11,000. Duty at 16% is £1,760. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,760, so it is £2,552. Import taxes total £4,312; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,760 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Slide and brake: compare production pairs with the approved sample on the intended approach surface; check the correct pad and heel arrangement.
Fit and pairing: check internal length, heel hold, fastening adjustment and left-right pairing against the approved size run.
Bonding and finish: inspect sole edges, heel attachment, stitching and replaceable-pad retention; look for glue on the sliding surface.
Labels and packing: check composition labels against the materials, size markings against the shoes, and boxes for dampness or mould. Use the inspection guide to brief the inspector.
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What goes wrong
A substituted slide fabric or heel compound can change stopping behaviour even when the shoes look unchanged. Glue contamination can interrupt the slide, while loose pads or lifting sole edges can catch during movement. Reject unapproved material substitutions and compare production shoes with the retained sample.
A comfortable sample does not prove fit across the size run. Check grading and heel hold before accepting bulk stock. For hire shoes, trial the agreed cleaning routine on the upper, lining and sole attachment, then inspect for distortion, colour transfer and 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 UK import duty on textile-upper bowling shoes from China?
The supplied heading 6404 lines carry 16% duty, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspensions. Confirm the finished shoe's code with your broker.
Are bowling shoes automatically classified as sports footwear?
Do not assume so from the product name. Give the broker the finished construction, sole materials and intended use before agreeing the commodity code.
What labels do bowling shoes need?
Confirm with the relevant authority how composition labels should identify the materials of the upper, lining and sock, and outer sole. Match the production label to the actual materials.
How do I check bowling-shoe samples?
Check fit, heel hold, sliding and braking on the intended approach surface. Compare sole bonding and pad retention, and confirm the arrangement suits the player's handedness.