Sourcing viscose seersucker fabric from China
Viscose seersucker fabric from China classified under heading 5516 carries a flat 8% UK duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Classification follows fibre composition and colouring, rather than the puckered appearance. Fibre labelling rules apply. Cambridge China Bridge sources viscose seersucker fabric.
A flat 8% duty under heading 5516
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 5516 covers woven fabrics of artificial staple fibres. Its lines carry 8% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions recorded. This guide covers viscose seersucker within that heading. See the viscose and rayon fabrics guide for the wider family.
The tariff attaches CITES import and export controls to some lines, including the artificial-staple-rich lines shown here. For CITES-listed species in the relevant protected categories, permits are required. Ask your customs broker to confirm whether the fabric's materials trigger the control and which documents are needed for goods from China; the tariff flag alone does not establish the requirement for a particular roll.
Confirm the commodity code using the tested fibre composition, staple or filament construction, and whether the fabric is dyed, woven from differently coloured yarns or printed. Seersucker describes the surface, rather than a separate tariff line. Do not assume every viscose blend belongs in this heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dyed seersucker containing 85% or more artificial staple fibres | 5516 12 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Yarn-dyed seersucker containing 85% or more artificial staple fibres | 5516 13 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Printed seersucker containing 85% or more artificial staple fibres | 5516 14 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Dyed seersucker with less than 85% artificial staple, mixed mainly with cotton | 5516 42 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Yarn-dyed seersucker with less than 85% artificial staple, mixed mainly with cotton | 5516 43 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Printed seersucker with less than 85% artificial staple, mixed mainly with cotton | 5516 44 00 00 | 8% | None |
Specify the puckering and finished width
Specify the viscose content and other fibres, yarn construction, fabric weight, usable width, stripe or check repeat, shade and finishing. Ask whether the puckering comes from weaving or a finishing treatment. Approve a physical sample showing the raised and flat areas, and agree how width and length will be measured without stretching the puckers.
Agree the intended washing and pressing conditions, shrinkage tolerances and acceptable texture after laundering. Test a sewn sample before approving bulk fabric. Record whether the cloth is intended for dresses, shirts or another use, so strength, seam slippage and colour tests match the application.
For sale in Great Britain, textile labels must show fibre content. Confirm the appropriate fibre name for viscose fabric with the relevant authority. UK REACH restrictions can limit or prohibit substance use; confirm which dye restrictions apply to the intended skin-contact use with the relevant authority. Ask for relevant dye test reports for each dyed or printed quality, with testing and certification support where needed.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 8,000 metres of dyed viscose seersucker fabric; illustrative order under 5516 12 00 00, invoiced at £16,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,200. Duty at 8% is £1,376. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £18,576, so it is £3,715.20. Import taxes total £5,091.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,376 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Texture: compare puckering, stripe spacing and handle with the approved sample, including after washing and the agreed pressing treatment.
Dimensions: check relaxed usable width, roll length and fabric weight; measure washing shrinkage in both fabric directions before cutting.
Colour and strength: check shade between rolls, rubbing and washing fastness, tear strength and seam slippage on the intended seam.
Identity and packing: compare fibre test results with the declared composition; check roll identifiers, dye lots, weaving faults and signs of damp. Keep arrival findings in the quality inspection record.
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What goes wrong
A sample can have the right puckering while bulk rolls differ in texture or usable width. Measuring under tension can overstate the fabric available for cutting. Washing or pressing may change the raised areas, and viscose shrinkage can alter garment fit and stripe alignment.
Shade variation, colour transfer and weak seams can also spoil an otherwise acceptable surface. Keep a signed fabric sample and a washed sewn sample, compare bulk rolls before release, and separate suspect dye lots. Agree corrective action before cutting affected cloth.
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 seersucker from China?
The supplied tariff data records 8% duty throughout heading 5516, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. Confirm that the fabric belongs in this heading.
Does seersucker have its own commodity code?
There is no separate seersucker line in the supplied heading. Select the code from the fibre composition and whether the fabric is dyed, yarn-dyed or printed.
Will viscose seersucker keep its texture after washing?
Check the actual quality. Wash and press samples under the intended care conditions, then compare puckering, usable width and dimensional change with the approved sample.
What fibre name should the label use?
Use viscose for viscose fibres and declare the actual blend. Seersucker describes the fabric's texture and does not replace the fibre composition.