Sourcing waffle knitted fabric from China

A flat 8% duty under heading 6006

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6006 covers other knitted or crocheted fabrics. All supplied lines carry 8% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. The cotton and synthetic fibre lines selected here have no attached import controls.

The wool or fine animal hair line and the “other” line have attached CITES import and export controls. For a proposed China order using these lines, confirm the species and the requirement with your customs broker. Importing CITES specimens requires a permit; ask the broker to confirm whether the particular fibre is covered before ordering.

Waffle describes the surface texture, so confirm construction, fibre composition, width and elastane content rather than classifying from the trade name. Knits over 30 cm wide containing 5% or more elastane fall under heading 6004. Confirm the commodity code; see the French terry guide for another fabric family within the wider heading.

Specify the waffle cells and washed fabric

Give the mill an approved knitted sample showing the cell size, depth, repeat and reverse face. Specify fibre composition, yarn, mass per square metre, usable width after finishing, stretch and recovery, colour and intended use. Distinguish knitted waffle from woven waffle in the enquiry.

Agree acceptance limits for shrinkage, twisting, pilling and loss of cell definition after the intended wash and drying process. Assess absorbency if the fabric is intended for towels or robes. Keep an unwashed sample beside the washed sample so the mill can see the required texture.

Fabric sold to consumers, including by the metre, must carry fibre composition. Confirm the permitted fibre names with Trading Standards and whether UK REACH azo-dye restrictions apply to the intended skin contact with HSE. Request composition verification and relevant dye testing for the ordered quality and colours; testing and certification can support the evidence check.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 8,000 metres of dyed polyester waffle knitted fabric in rolls, illustrative only under 6006 32 00 00, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £13,200. Duty at 8% is £1,056. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £14,256, so it is £2,851.20. Import taxes total £3,907.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,056 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Texture: compare cell shape, depth and repeat with the approved sample across the width and between rolls. Check flattened patches, needle lines, holes and snagged loops.

Weight and width: measure mass per square metre and relaxed usable width against the order. Check roll length and separate dye lots before cutting.

Wash performance: wash and dry samples using the agreed process, then check shrinkage, twisting, recovery and whether the waffle cells remain defined.

Colour and records: check roll-to-roll and edge-to-centre shade, washing and rubbing fastness, composition reports and batch identification. Use an agreed inspection plan.

What goes wrong

An attractive sample can become a flat or distorted bulk fabric after washing. Finishing changes can alter cell depth, width and weight; loose surface loops can snag during handling or sewing. Approve the washed bulk sample before cutting, and record failures against the agreed specification.

Shade variation can leave adjoining panels visibly different, while narrow rolls increase cutting waste. Keep dye lots identifiable and inspect arrivals before mixing rolls. Budget separately for duty and import VAT using the duty and VAT guide.

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.