Sourcing viscose-elastane jersey from China

8% duty on qualifying viscose-elastane jersey

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6004 covers knitted or crocheted fabric wider than 30 cm containing at least 5% by weight of elastomeric yarn or rubber thread, excluding heading 6001. Viscose-elastane jersey without rubber thread falls within the artificial-fibre description of 6004 10 00 91 when it meets these conditions. The table shows finishes sharing this commodity line.

The relevant line carries 8% duty on goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. The wider heading includes a 6% other line, 6004 90 00 00, with cat-and-dog-fur import and export controls. Imports and exports of that fur and products made from it are banned, including imports from China.

Confirm the full fibre blend, elastane share, width and construction before choosing the commodity code. Do not use this line automatically for narrower fabric, lower elastane content or pile fabric. See the cotton-elastane jersey guide for the wider heading.

Specify composition, drape and recovery

Specify the viscose and elastane proportions, yarn details, jersey construction, finished weight, usable width, colour and finish. Agree stretch and recovery in the length and width directions, washing conditions and acceptable shrinkage and spirality. Keep an approved fabric sample and lab dip; assess drape and opacity in the intended garment.

Fabric sold by the metre to consumers needs fibre composition labelling; confirm the appropriate fibre names with Trading Standards. Test the mill's stated composition before using it for garment labels. For textiles with prolonged skin contact, confirm applicable UK REACH azo-dye restrictions with HSE and request relevant chemical testing for each dyed or printed quality.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 8,000 metres of dyed viscose-elastane jersey; illustrative order only under 6004 10 00 91, invoiced at £21,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £22,200. Duty at 8% is £1,776. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £23,976, so it is £4,795.20. Import taxes total £6,571.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,776 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Composition and dimensions: compare fibre test results with the order, measure finished weight and usable width across sampled rolls, and match roll identification to the dye lot.

Wash stability: wash bulk samples under the agreed conditions, measure shrinkage and spirality, and compare stretch recovery before and after washing with the approved sample.

Shade and transfer: compare rolls and edge-to-centre shade with the approved lab dip under consistent lighting; test washing and rubbing colour fastness.

Surface and packing: inspect for barré, needle lines, holes, pilling and print cracking under stretch; check rolls for dampness and crushed edges. Use the quality inspection guide to agree the inspection scope.

What goes wrong

A sample can feel right while bulk fabric arrives lighter, narrower or with weaker recovery. Shrinkage and spirality distort garment panels, curled edges complicate cutting, and shade differences make panels visibly mismatched. Compare washed bulk fabric with the approved sample before releasing rolls for cutting.

A soft handle does not establish fibre composition or colour fastness. Substituted yarns, uneven finishing and dye-lot changes can affect drape, pilling and colour transfer. Keep test results linked to the supplied quality and dye lot, and separate disputed rolls while checking them.

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.