Sourcing women's wrap blouses from China

12% duty across the listed fibres

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 6206 covers women's or girls' blouses, shirts and shirt-blouses. This guide focuses on women's woven wrap blouses. All supplied commodity lines carry 12% duty for goods from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no listed duty suspension.

The tariff attaches CITES import and export controls to 6206 20 00 00 and 6206 90 90 00. If a blouse contains a CITES-listed specimen, importing it from China requires a permit. For these lines, ask your customs broker to confirm whether the material is covered and check species restrictions and Chinese export documentation before ordering.

Confirm the fibre composition and garment construction using the commodity code guide. A wrap front does not establish the fibre-based commodity line. For wider heading context, see the woven peplum blouse guide.

Specify the overlap, ties and fabric

State whether the front opens fully or is a fixed crossover. Specify neckline depth, overlap at the bust, waist position, tie length and width, internal fastening and side opening reinforcement. Approve fit across the size range while sitting, reaching and bending, with the blouse tied as intended.

Specify fibre composition, weave, fabric weight, opacity, shrinkage and seam slippage. The label must show fibre content, including fur and other animal parts. Products should only be sold once compliance with product safety regulations has been demonstrated appropriately. Agree fabric testing and approve label artwork before production.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 1,000 women's woven cotton wrap blouses, illustrative only 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

Coverage: check the neckline and front overlap on each sampled size while moving and sitting; compare coverage with the approved fit sample.

Ties and closures: check tie attachment, internal fastenings, side openings and reinforcement; tie and untie the garment and look for distortion or loose stitches.

Fabric and seams: check opacity, shade consistency, seam slippage and puckering along the diagonal front edge; wash samples to assess shrinkage and colour transfer.

Labels and packing: compare fibre labels, size labels and carton contents with the approved specification and order breakdown. Arrange quality inspection against the agreed sample.

What goes wrong

A diagonal neckline can stretch during sewing and gape even when the chest measurement matches the chart. Insufficient overlap can expose the wearer when seated. Specify the finished front edge and coverage, and approve a worn sample rather than relying on flat measurements.

Slippery ties can loosen, while weak tie attachments or side openings can tear under tension. Washing can change the balance between the front panels and ties. Check the washed garment tied on the wearer, and compare bulk fabric with the approved sample before accepting the shipment.

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.