Sourcing viscose rayon tyre cord fabric from China

0% duty on viscose rayon tyre cord fabric

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 13 November 2026, heading 5902 covers tyre cord fabric of high-tenacity nylon, other polyamide, polyester or viscose rayon yarn. Viscose rayon falls within the other-fibre lines: 5902 90 10 00 for fabric impregnated with rubber and 5902 90 90 00 for other fabric.

Both relevant lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for either line. The table shows buying forms sharing these codes; it does not represent separate tariff subdivisions.

Confirm the commodity code using the fibre composition and treatment details. Ask what the dip contains and whether the fabric is impregnated with rubber rather than relying on the word 'dipped'. For other fibres, see the wider tyre cord fabric guide.

Specify the rayon cord and its rubber interface

Specify high-tenacity viscose rayon yarn, yarn count, twist, ends per unit width, weft construction, fabric width and roll length. State whether you need greige or treated fabric. Agree breaking strength, elongation at a stated load, heat shrinkage and, for treated fabric, dip pick-up and adhesion to your own rubber compound.

UK REACH regulates chemicals placed on the market in Great Britain. Its restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on substances. Ask the supplier for treatment chemistry and a finished-fabric statement on substances of very high concern, then check applicable restrictions. For dipped fabric, request available safety data and agree storage conditions, shelf life and sealed moisture-protective packing.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 8,000 m² of greige viscose rayon tyre cord fabric under 5902 90 90 00, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £15,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £15,200, so it is £3,040. 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

Lot tests: check that certificates identify the supplied rayon fabric and batch, with strength, elongation and shrinkage results against the agreed specification.

Rubber adhesion: test treated cord with your own compound and agreed curing conditions; compare dip pick-up and adhesion with the approved sample.

Fabric construction: check width, ends per unit width and weft spacing on sampled rolls; look for loose ends, knots and contamination.

Packing and arrival: check seals, moisture protection, roll condition, batch identification and production dates against the agreed storage life.

What goes wrong

A fabric can meet the strength specification yet bond poorly to your rubber. Uneven dip pick-up, a changed treatment or testing against a different compound can hide the problem. Keep an approved sample and require repeat adhesion testing when the treatment changes.

Batch strength or shrinkage can drift, while heat, moisture and light can age dipped fabric during storage and transit. Check certificates alongside physical samples and arrival condition. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspection.

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.