Sourcing artificial monofilament and straw from China
Artificial monofilament of 67 decitex or more with no cross-section over 1 mm, and strip and artificial straw of artificial textile materials no wider than 5 mm, from China pay 0% UK duty under the single code 5405 00 00 00, with no anti-dumping duty. Hat makers and craft suppliers buying viscose straw and raffia-look strip check width, strength, colour and put-up.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 5405 covers artificial monofilament of 67 decitex or more of which no cross-sectional dimension exceeds 1 mm, and strip and the like (for example artificial straw) of artificial textile materials of an apparent width not exceeding 5 mm. It is a single code carrying 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Synthetic monofilament such as nylon and polyester is heading 5404, covered in our synthetic monofilament guide; confirm the commodity code from the polymer.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial monofilament of 67 dtex or more; artificial straw strip up to 5 mm | 5405 00 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specifying monofilament and straw
Specify the polymer (viscose or other artificial fibre), decitex or width and thickness, strength and elongation, colour and fastness, finish (matt or shiny), and put-up on spools or hanks. Products sold to consumers need fibre composition labels, so the fibre must be known.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 500 kg of viscose straw strip on spools under 5405 00 00 00, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,300. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,300, so it is £860. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Dimensions: measure width or diameter along samples.
Strength: test breaking strength and knot strength for braiding.
Colour: compare against the colour card. See our quality inspection guide.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
Monofilament and straw orders fail on width, strength and colour. Width varies so braids are uneven, strip splits when plaited, and colours vary between spools.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these materials for UK makers from small lots; see small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on viscose straw from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, artificial straw and monofilament under 5405 00 00 00 carried 0% from China.
Is nylon monofilament in heading 5405?
No. Synthetic monofilament is heading 5404.
What is the width limit for strip in heading 5405?
Strip of artificial textile materials of an apparent width not exceeding 5 mm.
What should I test on artificial straw?
Width, strength, knot strength and colour.