Sourcing Woven Cummerbunds from China
Finished woven cummerbunds from China carry 6% UK duty, whether hand-made or otherwise; the wider heading reaches 12% for parts. Textile fibre labelling is the main selling rule to check. Specify pleats, lining and adjustable waist fit before production. Cambridge China Bridge sources woven cummerbunds.
6% duty on finished woven cummerbunds
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 6217 covers other made-up clothing accessories and their parts. Finished woven cummerbunds fall within the accessory lines: hand-made goods carry 6%, as do other accessories. Parts carry 12%. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension. The table repeats the accessory codes for different fabric constructions.
The tariff attaches CITES, cat and dog fur, seal-product and torture-goods import controls. Cat and dog fur products are banned. Seal products for trade into Great Britain require a seal catch certificate. For CITES-listed trims from China, confirm species-specific permits with your customs broker. Listed prohibited torture goods cannot be imported. Ask the broker to confirm how these controls apply to the finished design before shipment.
Confirm the commodity code against the sample, woven construction and manufacturing method. A finished cummerbund and a separately imported component need separate classification checks. See the textile belts and garment parts guide for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woven satin cummerbunds, other than hand-made | 6217 10 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Hand-made woven satin cummerbunds | 6217 10 00 10 | 6% | None |
Specify pleats, sheen and waist adjustment
Specify the face fabric and fibre composition separately from the lining, interlining and elastic. Satin describes a weave rather than a fibre, so agree whether the face is silk, polyester or a blend. Record colour, sheen, finished depth, pleat direction and spacing, seam positions and the appearance when worn with a dinner jacket.
Agree the usable waist range, how it is measured, elastic recovery and the fastening position. Check that the clasp stays closed when the wearer sits and moves. Textile labels must show fibre content. For metal fastenings in prolonged skin contact, check the REACH nickel restriction; for skin-contact textile areas, check the azo-dye restrictions described in the wider guide.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 500 woven satin cummerbunds; illustrative order, FOB value and freight under 6217 10 00 90, invoiced at £5,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,800. Duty at 6% is £348. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,148, so it is £1,229.60. Import taxes total £1,577.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £348 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Pleats and finish: compare pleat direction, spacing and symmetry with the approved sample; look for puckering, snagged satin and visible interlining.
Fit and fastening: measure the usable waist range, stretch and release the elastic, and operate the clasp while checking its attachment stitching.
Colour and lining: compare shade and sheen across the delivery; check rubbing and perspiration colour transfer onto a light shirt fabric.
Labels and packing: check fibre descriptions against the agreed materials, match size markings to measurements, and inspect for crushed pleats, dampness and staining.
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What goes wrong
A sample may look correct while bulk goods use a different lining or interlining, changing how the front holds its shape. Uneven pleats twist the waistband, and heavy pressing can leave shiny marks on satin. Keep an approved finished sample and agree which material substitutions need your approval.
An advertised waist range can hide a short elastic section or a clasp that slips under tension. Dark fabric may transfer colour to shirts, while packing can flatten the pleats. Inspect the finished assembly and its packaging, rather than accepting a face-fabric swatch alone.
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 woven cummerbunds from China?
Finished woven cummerbunds carry 6% under both the hand-made and other accessory lines in the supplied tariff record. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure or suspension is recorded.
Are satin cummerbunds always silk?
No. Satin describes the weave. Specify the fibre composition of the face and lining separately, and compare the finished sample's sheen and handle with the production goods.
Do woven cummerbunds need fibre labels?
Textile products generally need fibre-composition labelling. Check the label against the actual materials and confirm any relevant exemption before selling in Great Britain.
What should I check when cummerbunds arrive?
Check pleat symmetry, usable waist adjustment, elastic recovery, clasp security, shade consistency, colour transfer and packing damage against the approved finished sample.