Sourcing woven laboratory coats from China
Woven laboratory coats from China carry 12% UK duty across the cotton and man-made fibre occupational lines shown here. Confirm fibre composition labelling requirements with the relevant authority; distinguish an ordinary coat from a protective product and check the applicable requirements before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources woven laboratory coats.
Laboratory coat duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6211 covers tracksuits, ski suits, swimwear and other garments. The occupational clothing lines shown here are candidates for woven laboratory coats, with separate cotton and man-made fibre lines for men's and women's garments. Confirm the actual construction, fibre composition and cut through finding your commodity code; do not assign a unisex coat solely from its sales description.
The listed lines carry 12% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded. The 0% suspension attached to the women's cotton occupational line is restricted to qualifying scrub tops and bottoms. Do not apply it to laboratory coats simply because they are worn by laboratory or hospital staff.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches a seal-products import control to these lines. Seal products brought into Great Britain for trade must have a seal catch certificate; if any material is seal-derived, confirm eligibility and documentation with your customs broker before ordering. Specify the materials and trims explicitly. For other garments within the wider heading, see branded and embroidered workwear.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's cotton laboratory coats, occupational clothing | 6211 32 10 00 | 12% | None |
| Men's man-made fibre laboratory coats, occupational clothing | 6211 33 10 00 | 12% | None |
| Women's cotton laboratory coats, occupational clothing | 6211 42 10 00 | 12% | None |
| Women's man-made fibre laboratory coats, occupational clothing | 6211 43 10 00 | 12% | None |
Specify coverage, laundering and intended protection
Specify the woven fabric, fibre blend, weight, opacity, coat length, sleeve length, cuff style, fastening, pocket layout and side openings. Agree chest and shoulder measurements, movement allowance, size tolerances and the size breakdown. Check a fit sample while reaching and sitting, rather than approving appearance on a hanger.
Agree the intended wash process and check shrinkage, seam appearance, fastening performance and label readability after laundering. Ask the relevant authority to confirm fibre composition labelling requirements, and specify a durable, legible label. Set out whether the coat is ordinary workwear or intended to protect the wearer, and identify the hazards rather than accepting a generic protective claim. For disposable surgical garments, see our surgical gown sourcing guide.
For protective versions, check the applicable personal protective equipment requirements before sale in Great Britain. Most new personal protective equipment placed on that market must bear UKCA or CE marking and be supplied with a declaration of conformity and instructions in English. Ask for evidence covering the exact fabric, coat design and intended protection. For fencing apparel, see our woven fencing jackets sourcing guide.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 men's woven cotton laboratory coats under 6211 32 10 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
Fabric: compare bulk fabric with the approved sample for composition, weight, weave, opacity and shade; check for substituted blends and uneven white shades.
Fit: measure each ordered size against the agreed chart, including sleeve and coat length; check shoulder movement, cuff fit and closure overlap.
Construction: check pocket attachments, underarm seams, loose threads and sharp trim edges; operate fastenings and inspect them again after the agreed wash trial.
Labels and claims: match fibre labels to the fabric evidence and care instructions to the wash trial; match protective-product documents to the supplied design. Use the quality inspection guide to agree the inspection brief.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
Coats can fit at delivery but shrink at the buyer's laundry settings, leaving short sleeves or pulling across the shoulders. Thin white fabric can be too transparent, pockets can tear at their corners and fastenings can loosen after washing. Approve a washed sample and retain it for comparison with production.
A white coat and a generic fabric report do not establish the intended protective performance. Resolve unsupported claims before ordering, and compare the delivered fabric, seams, cuffs and fastenings with the documented design.
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 laboratory coats from China?
The cotton and man-made fibre occupational clothing lines shown carry 12% duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded in the supplied tariff snapshot.
Can laboratory coats use the duty-free scrubs suspension?
Do not assume so. The suspension on the women's cotton occupational line is restricted to qualifying scrub tops and bottoms, rather than laboratory coats generally.
What labels should laboratory coats have?
Confirm fibre composition labelling requirements with the relevant authority and specify a durable, legible label. Agree care instructions that match the intended laundry process, then verify them with a wash trial.
How should I check a protective laboratory coat?
Identify the intended hazards, check the applicable protective equipment requirements, and ask for documents and performance evidence covering the exact supplied design.