Sourcing women's woven petticoats from China
Women's woven petticoats from China carry a flat 12% UK import duty across the relevant material lines. Fibre composition must be labelled, and consumer products sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Cambridge China Bridge sources women's woven petticoats.
A flat 12% duty on woven petticoats
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6208 covers women's or girls' slips, petticoats, nightwear and other specified underwear. This guide focuses on women's woven petticoats worn beneath skirts and dresses. The table separates material examples sharing the relevant tariff lines.
Petticoats of man-made fibres fall under 6208 11 00 00; those of other textile materials fall under 6208 19 00 00. Both carry 12% duty on goods from China. The supplied facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or import controls against either code.
Confirm the commodity code using the garment sample, woven construction and fibre composition before ordering. For the other garments within this heading, see the woven nightwear and slips guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women's woven polyester petticoats | 6208 11 00 00 | 12% | None |
| Women's woven cotton petticoats | 6208 19 00 00 | 12% | None |
Specify the waistband, drape and skirt length
Specify whether the petticoat should hang smoothly beneath a fitted skirt or add fullness beneath a dress. Agree fibre composition, fabric construction and weight, opacity, colour, finished length, hip allowance, hem sweep and any walking slit. Use the intended outer garment when assessing a sample for cling, visibility and movement.
Define relaxed and stretched waistband measurements, elastic width and recovery, seam construction, lace placement and hem finish. Agree measurement tolerances and wash acceptance criteria with the factory. For sale in Great Britain, fibre composition must be labelled and the finished product must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Check label artwork against the approved fabric.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 1,000 women's woven polyester petticoats; illustrative order, FOB value and freight under 6208 11 00 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,800. Duty at 12% is £816. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,616, so it is £1,523.20. Import taxes total £2,339.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £816 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit and movement: measure each supplied size against the agreed chart, check waistband comfort and recovery, and try the petticoat beneath the intended skirt while walking and sitting.
Fabric and washing: compare bulk fabric with the approved sample, check opacity and cling, and assess shrinkage, colour transfer and twisting after washing according to the agreed care instructions.
Seams and hems: check satin and viscose for seam opening under tension, inspect slit reinforcement, and look for puckered hems, loose threads and scratchy or unravelling lace.
Labels and packing: compare fibre labels with the approved composition and garment size with the packing list. Inspect arriving cartons for damp, staining and damaged garments. Agree these checks through quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A petticoat can match the sample colour yet cling to the outer skirt or show through it. Weak elastic lets the waistband slip, while a tight hem restricts walking. Satin and viscose seams can open under strain; uneven feeding during sewing leaves a rippled hem.
Fabric substitutions can change opacity, drape and washing behaviour. Approve a sample beneath the intended outer garment, retain the agreed fabric reference, and compare production garments before dispatch. On arrival, check fit and wash performance before releasing the stock for sale.
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 women's woven petticoats from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 12% for both 6208 11 00 00 and 6208 19 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension listed against either line.
Which commodity code covers cotton petticoats?
For woven cotton petticoats, the supplied facts identify 6208 19 00 00, the slips and petticoats line for other textile materials. Confirm the actual garment and composition before declaring it.
Do women's woven petticoats need fibre labels?
Yes. For sale in Great Britain, the label must show fibre content. Check the approved wording against the actual fabric composition before production.
What should I check on a petticoat sample?
Check waistband fit and recovery, length, hip allowance, opacity, cling, seam opening and hem finish. Try it beneath the intended skirt and wash it using the agreed care instructions.