Sourcing wet-felted wool rugs from China
Wet-felted wool rugs from China under heading 5704 carry 6% UK duty across the listed lines, with no trade remedies listed. Rugs sold to consumers in Great Britain must be safe, and textile labels must show fibre content. Confirm felt construction and test shrinkage and colour transfer. Cambridge China Bridge sources wet-felted wool rugs.
6% UK duty on wet-felted wool rugs
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 16 November 2026, heading 5704 covers felt carpets and other textile floor coverings, not tufted or flocked, whether or not made up. Every listed line carries 6% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions.
For rugs supplied other than as tiles, distinguish hand-made goods under 5704 90 00 10 from other goods under 5704 90 00 90. The tile rows apply only to products supplied as floor tiles within their stated area band. Confirm the commodity code using construction photographs and manufacturing details. See the wider felt carpet guide.
The tariff record attaches a DCMS Export Licence control to every line. Official cultural-goods guidance describes export licensing from Great Britain. Ask your customs broker to confirm the attached measure and any documentary waiver for your shipment from China before dispatch.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-made wet-felted wool rugs, other than tiles | 5704 90 00 10 | 6% | None |
| Other wet-felted wool rugs, other than tiles | 5704 90 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Hand-made wool felt floor tiles, over 0.3 m² but not exceeding 1 m² | 5704 20 00 10 | 6% | None |
| Other wool felt floor tiles, over 0.3 m² but not exceeding 1 m² | 5704 20 00 90 | 6% | None |
Specify wool content and wet-felted construction
Specify the wool content, any other fibres, finished dimensions, thickness, mass per area, edge profile and backing. Describe whether the rug is a continuous felt sheet or assembled from felted pieces. Approve a physical sample for firmness, surface texture, shade and flatness. Agree acceptable shedding, dimensional change after cleaning and colour transfer before production.
Consumer rugs sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Textile labels must show fibre content. Check the wool claim against material records and, where needed, laboratory analysis. Assess slipping and raised edges on the intended floor surface, and agree care instructions supported by cleaning trials.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 50 hand-made wet-felted wool rugs; illustrative order and values under 5704 90 00 10, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,500. Duty at 6% is £630. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £11,130, so it is £2,226. Import taxes total £2,856; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £630 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Felt consolidation: compare thickness, mass and firmness with the approved sample; flex the rug and check for loose fibres, thin patches and layers pulling apart.
Shape and edges: measure finished dimensions, lay rugs flat after unpacking and inspect ripples, curled edges and weak joins between felted pieces.
Colour and cleaning: check dry and damp rubbing transfer, then clean a sample using the proposed care method; inspect shrinkage, distortion, dye bleeding and surface hardening.
Backing and packing: check backing adhesion and grip on the intended floor, label accuracy and dryness before packing; inspect arrival cartons for dampness and musty odour.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
Insufficient felting leaves a soft rug that sheds, stretches or separates. Uneven felting produces hard patches and ripples. Further felting during cleaning can shrink and stiffen the rug, while unstable dyes transfer onto pale floors or neighbouring colours.
A display sample can hide variation across production. Compare rugs from different cartons with the approved sample, including their underside and edges. Hold damp, distorted or bleeding stock for investigation. Use an agreed inspection checklist before shipment and repeat the arrival checks.
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 wet-felted wool rugs from China?
The supplied UK Trade Tariff record shows 6% across the listed heading 5704 lines for China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures or suspensions listed.
Which commodity code covers hand-made wet-felted wool rugs?
For felt rugs other than tiles, the supplied tariff lists 5704 90 00 10 for hand-made goods. Confirm the actual construction and manufacturing process before declaring.
Can wet-felted wool rugs be sold as washable?
Base the care claim on cleaning trials of the finished rug. Check dimensional change, distortion, hardening and colour transfer using the proposed cleaning method.
How do I check a wet-felted wool rug before shipment?
Compare felt density, thickness, dimensions and colour with the approved sample. Lay rugs flat, inspect edges and joins, check shedding and test the proposed cleaning method.