Sourcing viscose needle punched felt from China
Viscose needle punched felt from China carries a flat 6% UK duty across the relevant felt lines, with no listed trade remedy or suspension. Fibre content must be labelled, and the uncoated needleloom line carries a cat and dog fur control. Cambridge China Bridge sources viscose needle punched felt.
A flat 6% duty on felt
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 5602 covers felt, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated. For viscose needle punched felt, compare the uncoated needleloom line with the treated needleloom line. The other felt rows are classification comparisons, rather than alternative codes to use simply because the fibre is viscose.
Every line in the supplied heading carries 6% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The uncoated needleloom line carries a cat and dog fur import control. Imports and exports of that fur and products made from it are banned. Obtain a fibre declaration and ask your customs broker to confirm the declaration needed for the viscose goods. The treated needleloom line has no controls listed in the supplied snapshot.
Confirm the commodity code using the manufacturing method, fibre composition and any impregnation, coating, covering or lamination. For the wider heading context, see our polyester needle punched felt guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncoated needleloom felt of other textile materials, including viscose | 5602 10 19 00 | 6% | None |
| Needleloom felt, impregnated, coated, covered or laminated | 5602 10 90 00 | 6% | None |
| Other uncoated felt of other textile materials, for classification comparison | 5602 29 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Other felt, for classification comparison | 5602 90 00 00 | 6% | None |
Specify viscose content and wet performance
State the viscose content and identify any blended fibres, backing, binder or surface treatment. Specify mass per square metre, thickness under an agreed measuring pressure, usable width, roll length, colour and tolerances. Keep an approved sample that represents the intended production grade.
For absorbent applications, agree a repeatable check using the intended liquid, including uptake, drainage and handling after wetting. Check wet strength, lint release and dimensional change against your application before approving production. For cut components, agree edge quality and resistance to tearing during handling.
Textile labels must show fibre content, including fur and other animal parts. Match the supplied composition information to the material ordered. For felt used in upholstered furniture, confirm the applicable fire safety requirements with Trading Standards, while felt supplied in children's craft kits needs checks against toy safety expectations. Arrange testing and certification around the intended use.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 8 tonnes of uncoated viscose needle punched felt in rolls; illustrative order under 5602 10 19 00, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £15,500. Duty at 6% is £930. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £16,430, so it is £3,286. Import taxes total £4,216; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £930 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fibre and finish: compare the composition declaration, sample and supplied rolls; investigate unexpected backing, binder, odour or visible foreign fibres.
Weight and dimensions: weigh cut samples across the width and from different rolls; measure thickness under the agreed pressure and check usable width and roll length.
Wet handling and shedding: repeat the agreed absorbency check, handle the wetted sample and inspect lint release, tearing and dimensional change against the approved sample.
Roll condition: inspect winding, cores, crushed edges, damp patches and wrapping; record batch identification and keep representative arrival samples. See quality inspection explained.
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What goes wrong
A dry sample can look acceptable while the supplied felt tears, sheds fibres or changes shape during wet use. A changed blend or finish can also change liquid uptake. Approve the material through the actual process, and require agreement before the factory changes fibres, binder or treatment.
Uneven weight and thickness can cause inconsistent cutting and absorbency. Tight winding or crushed rolls can distort the material before use. Compare arrival samples with the approved sample and record affected batches before mixing them into production.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on viscose needle punched felt from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot shows 6% on every line of heading 5602, including uncoated and treated needleloom felt, with no listed trade remedy or suspension.
Which commodity code covers viscose needle punched felt?
Compare 5602 10 19 00 for uncoated needleloom felt with 5602 10 90 00 for impregnated, coated, covered or laminated needleloom felt. Confirm the construction and finish before declaring.
Why does viscose felt have a cat and dog fur control?
The control is attached to the uncoated needleloom tariff line. Obtain a fibre declaration and have your customs broker confirm the entry requirement; cat and dog fur imports are banned.
How do I check viscose felt for absorbent use?
Test the approved sample and production material with the intended liquid. Compare uptake, drainage, wet handling strength, lint release and dimensional change using the same agreed method.