Sourcing woven Axminster carpet from China
Woven Axminster carpet from China carries a flat 8% UK duty across the relevant wool and man-made fibre lines. Carpet supplied for fitting in buildings needs construction-product performance documentation and a fire class. Specify pile yarn, pattern repeat and backing before production. Cambridge China Bridge sources woven Axminster carpet.
A flat 8% duty on relevant carpet lines
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 October 2026, the relevant woven pile carpet lines under heading 5702 carry 8% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension on these lines. This heading covers woven textile floor coverings, not tufted or flocked products. See the wider woven carpet guide for other product families.
The wool or fine animal hair Axminster lines have a CITES import control attached. If the carpet incorporates CITES-listed species, confirm the documentation with the Animal and Plant Health Agency and your customs broker before ordering. The official guidance requires a permit for species listed in Annex A, B or C. The record also lists CITES export controls on those lines and a DCMS export licence control on all selected lines; ask your broker about any planned re-export.
Wool or fine animal hair Axminster carpet has separate made-up and not-made-up lines. The man-made fibre rows cover woven pile carpets more broadly. Give your broker the pile composition, construction details, sample and supplied form to confirm the commodity code. Do not choose a code from the Axminster trade name alone.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wool or fine animal hair Axminster carpet, not made up | 5702 31 10 00 | 8% | None |
| Wool or fine animal hair Axminster carpet, made up | 5702 41 10 00 | 8% | None |
| Man-made fibre woven pile carpet, not made up | 5702 32 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Man-made fibre woven pile carpet, made up | 5702 42 00 00 | 8% | None |
Specify the Axminster weave and fitting plan
Specify woven Axminster construction, pile yarn composition, pile mass and height, weave density, backing materials and edge finish. Approve a physical sample alongside the artwork, colour references and pattern repeat. Agree roll width, usable length, pile direction and a cutting plan showing how patterns should meet at seams and doorways.
For carpet supplied for fitting in buildings, confirm with the relevant authority whether a declaration of performance and reaction to fire class are required for the supplied construction and backing, and obtain them where applicable. CE marking remains available for construction products placed on the Great Britain market. Match the documents to the ordered product rather than accepting a report for a different backing. Agree cleaning instructions and colour fastness checks before production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 3,000 square metres of woven wool Axminster carpet under 5702 31 10 00, invoiced at £45,000 free on board, with £5,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £50,000. Duty at 8% is £4,000. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £54,000, so it is £10,800. Import taxes total £14,800; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £4,000 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Weave and pile: compare the face and reverse with the approved Axminster sample; check missing pile, loose yarn, pile mass, height and density.
Pattern and shade: unroll adjoining lengths in the same pile direction; check repeat alignment, bowed patterns and shade differences between rolls.
Dimensions and backing: measure usable width and length; check squareness, edge finish, backing adhesion and whether the carpet lies flat after unrolling.
Arrival and records: check crushed roll cores, wet wrapping, staining and odour; reconcile roll identities, batch records and performance documents with the delivered construction.
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What goes wrong
An approved pattern can still produce poor seams when the repeat drifts, the weave bows or rolls come from different dye batches. Lower pile mass can leave the carpet flattening sooner than the sample suggested. Uneven backing tension can cause rippling, while damaged cores leave creases that complicate fitting.
Keep a sealed approval sample and agree measurable acceptance criteria for pile, dimensions, shade and pattern alignment. Inspect adjoining rolls together before cutting. A fire report for a different yarn or backing leaves the buyer without matching evidence for the delivered carpet; arrange testing and certification checks before 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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on Axminster carpet from China?
The relevant wool Axminster and man-made fibre woven pile lines carry 8% duty in the supplied tariff record. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension is listed on these lines.
Which commodity code covers wool Axminster carpet?
The supplied record identifies 5702 31 10 00 for wool or fine animal hair Axminster carpet not made up, and 5702 41 10 00 for made-up carpet. Confirm the supplied form and fibre composition with your broker.
Does Axminster carpet for buildings need fire documentation?
Confirm with the relevant authority whether a declaration of performance and reaction to fire class are required for the actual carpet construction and backing, and obtain them where applicable. Check that the supporting report matches the supplied product.
How do I avoid visible joins in patterned Axminster carpet?
Agree the repeat, pile direction and cutting plan before production. Inspect adjoining rolls together for shade, bowed patterns and repeat drift before cutting or fitting.