Sourcing pussy-bow blouses from China

A flat 12% duty on woven pussy-bow blouses

Heading 6206 covers women's or girls' woven blouses, shirts and shirt-blouses. This guide focuses on women's blouses with neck ties forming a pussy bow. The fibre composition determines the relevant commodity line. See the women's blouses and shirts guide for the wider heading.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, all listed lines carried 12% duty for goods from China. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty, or duty suspension, was recorded. The tariff attaches CITES import and export controls to 6206 20 00 00 and 6206 90 90 00. For blouses using those lines, confirm the species and applicable documents with your customs broker before ordering.

For CITES-listed materials, official guidance requires permits for species listed on Annex A, B or C; confirm the applicable import documentation for the particular material with your broker. Confirm the garment's construction and fibre composition using the commodity code guide, rather than choosing a code from the supplier's product name.

Specify the bow, neckline and fabric together

State whether the ties are integral or detachable, their finished length and width, end shape, attachment position and seam finish. Approve the blouse with the bow tied and untied. Specify neckline depth, collar stand if used, front fastening, sleeve and cuff construction, fabric weave, weight and opacity.

Set a size chart with tolerances and approve fit across the size range. Specify shrinkage, colour fastness and seam-slippage checks against the approved fabric. Fibre composition must be labelled; confirm the appropriate fibre names with the relevant authority. Verify silk claims before printing labels, and agree care instructions that match the tested garment.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 1,000 cotton woven pussy-bow blouses; illustrative order, not a quote under 6206 30 00 90, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,600. Duty at 12% is £552. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,152, so it is £1,030.40. Import taxes total £1,582.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £552 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Bow: check tie dimensions, matching ends, attachment strength and whether the approved knot sits correctly without twisting or pulling the neckline.

Fabric: compare bulk fabric with the approved sample for handle, shade and opacity; wash-test the garment and check seam slippage around the neck and armholes.

Make-up: check puckering, exposed raw edges, skipped stitches, button attachment and snagging at tie ends; measure chest, sleeve, blouse length and neckline against the size chart.

Labels and packing: compare fibre labels with fabric test results, check care instructions and size labels, and inspect for crushed bows, dampness and shade mixing. Use the inspection guide to organise the shipment check.

What goes wrong

A bow approved on a loose fabric strip can behave differently when sewn into the neckline. Bulky attachment seams can make the knot sit unevenly, while slippery fabric can let it loosen. Approve a complete garment and record how it is tied, including the finished appearance of the tails.

Fine fabrics can slip at seams, show puckering or reveal unfinished tie edges. Washing may change the blouse fit and bow shape. Compare washed and unwashed samples, check contrasting ties for colour transfer, and inspect garments after unpacking so pressing does not hide construction defects.

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.