Sourcing warp-knitted sports mesh from China

8% duty for ordinary sports mesh

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6005 covers warp-knitted fabrics outside headings 6001 to 6004. The synthetic-fibre sports mesh lines shown carry 8% duty for goods from China. The supplied snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no attached import controls on these lines.

Under 6005 36 00 00, a 0% suspension covers a narrowly specified weft-inserted polyester fabric. Do not assume ordinary sports mesh qualifies; have your broker check the suspension's complete product conditions. For related constructions, see the warp-knit spacer mesh guide.

Confirm the commodity code from construction, fibre content, width and finish. Fabric wider than 30 cm with 5% or more elastane or rubber thread belongs in heading 6004. Other-fibre lines in the supplied heading data attach CITES and cat-and-dog-fur controls: protected-species material needs a CITES import permit, while cat and dog fur products are banned. If considering animal-fibre mesh from China, confirm the applicable requirements with your broker.

Specify mesh openings and stretch recovery

State polyester or nylon composition, yarn type, mesh opening shape and size, mass per square metre, usable finished width, stretch direction and recovery. Identify the intended use, such as sportswear panels or garment linings. Approve a physical sample showing the opening pattern and handle rather than relying on a photograph.

Agree colour, washing conditions and any wicking finish before sampling. Check whether the claimed wicking performance remains after washing. Fabric sold by the metre to consumers needs fibre-composition labelling. Confirm applicable UK REACH restrictions on azo dyes in textiles with prolonged skin contact with the relevant authority; request relevant chemical test reports for dyed or printed sportswear mesh.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1,800 metres of dyed polyester warp-knitted sports mesh in rolls under 6005 37 00 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,200. Duty at 8% is £336. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,536, so it is £907.20. Import taxes total £1,243.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £336 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Construction: compare mesh openings, yarn appearance and stretch recovery with the approved sample; inspect for distorted openings, broken yarns and needle lines.

Width and weight: measure usable width and mass per square metre across sampled rolls, with the fabric relaxed rather than pulled taut.

Colour and washing: compare rolls and edge-to-centre shade against the approved colour sample; check rubbing, washing and dimensional change.

Wear and traceability: check snagging and bursting strength against the agreed specification, and match roll labels to dye lots and test reports. Arrange a fabric inspection before shipment.

What goes wrong

Mesh may arrive with narrower usable width, uneven openings or poor recovery after stretching. Loose yarns snag during cutting and sewing, while needle lines become visible in finished panels. Shade differences between rolls can leave garment panels mismatched.

Keep the approved fabric and colour samples, separate dye lots during cutting, and trial the mesh with the intended seams. Recheck width, weight and washing behaviour on arrival before releasing rolls for bulk production.

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.