Sourcing wicker laundry baskets from China

Duty depends on the actual weaving material

Heading 4602 covers basketwork, wickerwork and other articles made directly to shape from plaiting materials or assembled from products of heading 4601. For laundry baskets, distinguish bamboo, rattan and other vegetable materials such as willow or seagrass, then distinguish hand-made goods from other goods. A wicker appearance alone does not identify the material.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 22 October 2026, all the natural-material basket lines shown carry 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. The wider heading also includes a 4% other-material line and a 0% line for straw bottle envelopes; neither is the rate for natural wicker laundry baskets.

Confirm the commodity code using the material composition and manufacturing method. Compare synthetic alternatives in the plastic laundry baskets guide. For the border-cost calculation, see UK import duty and VAT.

Specify the weave, liner and lid together

Name the actual weaving fibre, frame material, finish and liner fabric. Specify external dimensions, usable internal space, lid fit, handle attachment and whether the liner can be removed for washing. Agree acceptable variation in natural colour and weave against a physical sample. Check that nested baskets separate without scraping the finish or distorting the rim.

Consumer baskets sold in Great Britain must be safe under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Include sharp cut ends, loose bindings and handle failure in the sample assessment. Ask the factory to identify any anti-mould treatment, and confirm any applicable UK REACH restrictions on dimethyl fumarate in articles with the relevant chemicals authority. Specify drying and packing arrangements rather than accepting an unidentified anti-mould sachet.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 2,000 willow laundry baskets under 4602 19 90 90, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £5,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £35,000. Duty at 2% is £700. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £35,700, so it is £7,140. Import taxes total £7,840; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £700 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Moisture: check sampled baskets against the agreed moisture limit, inspect beneath liners and lids for mould, and note musty smells before packing and on arrival.

Handles and rim: lift a basket with the agreed laundry load, check attachment points for movement, and examine bindings and cut ends for splinters or snagging.

Lid and liner: open and close the lid, check its seating and hinge attachment, remove and refit the liner, and rub the finish with a light cloth to check colour transfer.

Packing: check nested baskets separate freely, rims remain round and cartons protect lids and handles. Record findings against the approved sample using the inspection guide.

What goes wrong

Damp wicker can arrive mouldy even when the visible outer surface looked dry at dispatch. Liners conceal moisture and rough cut ends; weak handles loosen when the basket is carried full. Tight nesting distorts rims, leaving lids that fitted at the factory sitting unevenly after unpacking.

Approve an assembled basket with its production liner and lid. Agree drying, moisture acceptance, loaded-handle checks and nesting protection in the order. On arrival, unpack samples fully before releasing stock, keeping affected cartons separate while the supplier investigates mould, broken bindings or damaged handles.

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.