Sourcing woven epaulettes from China
Woven epaulettes from China fall within a heading with UK duty of 6% for clothing accessories or 12% for garment parts. Confirm the classification for the supplied design and check whether fibre labelling applies. Specify shoulder fit, insignia and fastening before production. Cambridge China Bridge sources woven epaulettes.
Woven epaulettes: 6% or 12% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 6217 covers other made-up clothing accessories and parts of garments or clothing accessories, excluding heading 6212. The supplied lines carry 6% duty for accessories and 12% for parts from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions recorded. The table repeats the parts code for different epaulette designs; these are alternative classification routes to confirm, rather than separate tariff lines.
The tariff attaches CITES, cat and dog fur, and seal-product import controls. Listed CITES materials require permit checks before importing from China; cat and dog fur products are banned from import. Seal products imported into Great Britain for trade need a seal catch certificate; ask your broker to confirm eligibility. Accessory lines also attach torture/repression import controls: listed prohibited goods cannot be imported. The supplied lines carry export controls too; confirm their application with your broker if re-exporting.
Send your broker the sample, fibre composition, construction and attachment method to confirm the commodity code. Explain whether the epaulette is supplied as a garment part or a separate accessory. The textile belts and garment parts guide covers the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woven sew-on epaulettes, if classified as garment parts | 6217 90 00 00 | 12% | None |
| Woven epaulettes, if classified as other clothing accessories | 6217 10 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Hand-made woven epaulettes, if classified as clothing accessories | 6217 10 00 10 | 6% | None |
Specify the shoulder fit and woven insignia
Agree whether the epaulettes are flat sew-on pieces, buttoned straps or slip-on sleeves. Specify finished length, width, taper, sleeve opening, buttonhole position, seam allowance and dimensional tolerances. Supply the actual uniform shoulder strap for fitting. State the face fabric, backing, stiffener, thread colours and whether the insignia is woven into the fabric or added afterwards.
Approve artwork showing stripe spacing, emblem orientation and the position of lettering. Keep an approved physical sample for colour and construction comparisons. Textile products generally need fibre-content labelling; check whether your epaulettes fall within an exemption before approving the label arrangement. Agree washing trials using the intended uniform and its care instructions.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 1,000 woven epaulettes supplied as garment parts; illustrative order, FOB value and freight under 6217 90 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: measure the finished pieces and fit them to the intended shoulder strap; check sleeve openings, taper and buttonhole alignment.
Insignia: compare stripe spacing, lettering, orientation and thread colours with the approved artwork and sample; check that paired pieces match.
Construction: inspect edge finishing, seam security, backing adhesion and stiffener shape; pull the fastening and check for exposed sharp hardware.
Washing: wash samples with the uniform and check shrinkage, curling, colour transfer and delamination; compare the fibre information with the agreed materials.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A slip-on epaulette can look correct on a table yet jam on the uniform because the internal opening is too narrow. Misplaced buttonholes twist the strap, and an unsuitable stiffener makes the shoulder sit awkwardly. Trial the sample on the actual garment before accepting the construction.
Woven lettering can lose definition, stripes can drift between batches, and dark thread can transfer colour onto a pale shirt. Washing can separate the backing or curl the edges. Agree rejection criteria against the approved sample and arrange quality inspection 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 woven epaulettes from China?
The supplied tariff lines show 6% for clothing accessories and 12% for garment parts, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures. Confirm which line applies to your epaulettes.
Which commodity code should I use for woven epaulettes?
The parts line is 6217 90 00 00. Accessory alternatives are 6217 10 00 90 and the hand-made line 6217 10 00 10. Ask your broker to classify the actual sample and how it is supplied.
Do woven epaulettes need fibre labels?
Textile products generally need fibre-content labelling, but exemptions exist. Check the arrangement for your epaulettes rather than assuming that a small garment component is exempt.
What should I send the factory before ordering epaulettes?
Send the uniform shoulder strap, dimensioned drawings, insignia artwork, colour references and fastening details. Approve a fitted sample and agree washing and inspection checks.