Sourcing tricot lining fabric from China
Warp-knitted tricot lining fabric from China normally pays 8% UK duty. Heading 6005 has a narrowly defined suspension to 0%, not a general lining exemption. Fibre composition must be stated when fabric is sold to consumers. Cambridge China Bridge sources warp-knitted tricot lining fabric.
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Tricot lining duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6005 covers warp-knitted fabrics outside headings 6001 to 6004. For ordinary tricot lining, confirm fibre composition, width and colour treatment. Fabric wider than 30 cm with 5% or more elastane or rubber thread belongs in heading 6004. Confirm the commodity code and see the wider warp-knit fabric guide.
The listed Chinese-origin lines carry 8% duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures recorded. Under 6005 36 00 00, a suspension to 0% covers only the specified weft-inserted warp-knitted synthetic polyester yarn, with width from 1.5 m to 1.65 m and length from 8.000 m to 16.000 m. It excludes mixtures, preparations and products containing it as a component. Ordinary bleached tricot lining does not qualify simply because it shares the code.
No import controls are recorded for the cotton, synthetic or artificial-fibre lines shown here. The other-fibre lines 6005 90 10 00 and 6005 90 90 00 attach CITES and cat-and-dog-fur controls. Importing CITES specimens into Great Britain requires a permit; cat and dog fur and products made from it are banned from import. If a proposed lining contains animal-derived fibres, confirm the species, classification and applicable controls with your customs broker before ordering.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic tricot lining, unbleached or bleached | 6005 36 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Synthetic tricot lining, dyed | 6005 37 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Synthetic tricot lining, of yarns of different colours | 6005 38 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Synthetic tricot lining, printed | 6005 39 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Cotton tricot lining, dyed | 6005 22 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Artificial-fibre tricot lining, dyed | 6005 42 00 00 | 8% | None |
Specify the lining against the outer fabric
State the fibre blend, warp-knitted tricot construction, yarn and filament specification, mass per square metre and usable width after finishing. Agree stretch and recovery along and across the roll, surface feel, opacity and colour against a retained sample. Trial the lining with the intended outer fabric, thread and seam construction before approving bulk production.
Specify the intended care process and acceptable dimensional change. Check whether the lining puckers at seams, catches on rough surfaces or pulls the outer fabric out of shape after washing. Keep the approved lab dip and finished sample, and agree how dye lots and roll identities will be recorded.
For consumer sales by the metre, fibre composition must be labelled; confirm permitted fibre names with Trading Standards. REACH restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on substances. Confirm applicable azo-dye restrictions with HSE for linings intended for prolonged skin contact. Ask for relevant testing for each dyed or printed lining quality, with reports identifying the fabric and colour. See UK REACH for importers.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 30,000 metres of dyed polyester tricot lining in rolls; illustrative order under 6005 37 00 00, invoiced at £21,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £22,800. Duty at 8% is £1,824. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £24,624, so it is £4,924.80. Import taxes total £6,748.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,824 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Width and weight: measure usable width and mass per square metre across sampled rolls, excluding curled or damaged edges, and compare with the agreed specification.
Shade and transfer: compare rolls and edge-to-centre shade with the approved lab dip; check washing and rubbing colour fastness, especially where dark lining meets pale outer fabric.
Surface and seams: inspect for needle lines, holes, snagged filaments and uneven finishing; sew trial seams and check for puckering or damage around stitch holes.
Care and traceability: wash representative samples using the intended care process, measure dimensional change and retain roll and dye-lot identities. Use the quality inspection guide to agree inspection scope.
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What goes wrong
A lining can match the approved sample in colour yet arrive narrower or with different stretch. That changes cutting yield and seam behaviour. Needle lines become visible through pale outer fabric, curled edges reduce usable width, and shade differences between rolls appear when panels are assembled.
Different shrinkage between lining and outer fabric can leave a garment puckered or distorted after care. Colour transfer can stain adjacent panels. Check arrival samples before bulk cutting, keep affected rolls identifiable and compare the results with the signed specification and retained samples.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on tricot lining from China?
Ordinary heading 6005 tricot lining carries 8% duty. A narrowly specified weft-inserted polyester product under 6005 36 00 00 has a suspension to 0%. No anti-dumping or countervailing measures are recorded.
Is polyester lining classified the same as nylon lining?
Both are synthetic fibres. Ordinary dyed warp-knitted tricot lining can fall under 6005 37 00 00, but construction, width and elastane or rubber-thread content must also be checked.
Does tricot lining sold by the metre need a fibre label?
Yes, when sold to consumers, give the fibre composition and confirm permitted fibre names with Trading Standards. Verify the mill's composition before using it for fabric or finished-garment labels.
What should I check before cutting imported tricot lining?
Check usable width, weight, roll-to-roll shade, needle lines, snagging and dimensional change after care. Sew a trial with the intended outer fabric to check puckering and stretch compatibility.