Sourcing woven graduation stoles from China

A flat 8% duty on woven graduation stoles

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 6214 covers shawls, scarves, mufflers, mantillas, veils and similar articles. This guide concerns woven graduation stoles within that heading. All supplied commodity lines carry 8% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no listed suspension.

The tariff attaches cat and dog fur and seal-product import controls, and CITES controls to some wool, animal-hair and other-material lines. Cat and dog fur products cannot be imported. Seal products need a qualifying exemption; traditional indigenous-hunt products need a seal catch attestation. For listed animal species, check CITES permit requirements before importing from China. Ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable documents and declarations for any animal material.

Confirm the commodity code from the actual fibre composition, woven construction and manufacturing method. Embroidery alone should not be treated as proof that a stole belongs in a hand-made line. The scarves and shawls guide covers the wider heading.

Specify the satin, shape and embroidery

Satin describes the fabric construction, so specify polyester, silk or the actual blend separately. Agree fabric weight, sheen, colour, lining, finished length and width, neck shape, pointed or straight ends, and seam finish. Approve a sample worn over the intended gown to check that the ends hang evenly and the embroidery faces forwards.

Provide approved artwork showing crest details, lettering, thread colours, embroidery position and backing. Fibre composition must be labelled; confirm the appropriate fibre names with the relevant authority and compare the proposed label with bulk-fabric test results. UK sellers must not sell consumer products they know, or should have known, are unsafe. Include checks for retained needles and sharp decorations in the inspection brief.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2,000 woven polyester graduation stoles; FOB and freight values are illustrative under 6214 30 00 90, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,500. Duty at 8% is £520. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,020, so it is £1,404. Import taxes total £1,924; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £520 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Shape: measure finished length and width against the approved specification, check matching ends and neck seams, and try the stole over a gown.

Embroidery: compare spelling, crest details, thread colours and placement with approved artwork; check puckering, loose threads and scratchy backing.

Fabric and colour: compare sheen and shade across cartons, check snags and seam damage, and test dry and damp rubbing against pale fabric.

Labels and packing: match fibre labels to tested composition and reconcile each design with the packing list. Check for dampness and fold marks during inspection.

What goes wrong

A flat sample can hide a twisted neck seam or embroidery that turns towards the body when worn. Dense stitching can pucker light satin, while a substituted fabric changes its sheen and drape. Keep an approved finished sample with the artwork and fabric specification.

Incorrect names or crests can make an otherwise sound batch unusable. Check personalised wording before production and again against the packing list on arrival. Dark fabric or embroidery thread can transfer colour onto pale gowns, so test the finished combination rather than only an undecorated fabric swatch.

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.