Sourcing woven linen terry fabric from China

Duty on woven linen terry fabric

Heading 5802 covers terry towelling and similar woven terry fabrics, excluding narrow fabrics, and tufted textile fabrics. Woven linen terry falls within the other-textile-materials line, 5802 20 00 00. This guide covers fabric in rolls; the supplied tariff facts contain only this relevant commodity line.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, the relevant line carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, tariff suspension or attached import control for this line.

Confirm the weave and fibre composition before choosing the commodity code, particularly for blends. Knitted terry and finished towels require separate classification. See the wider terry towelling fabric guide for related constructions.

Specify linen content and loop construction

State the fibre composition of the loop yarn and ground yarn separately in the purchase specification. Ask whether the fabric is linen throughout or uses a different ground yarn. Agree yarn count, loop height and density, looped faces, usable width, weight per square metre, roll length and finish. Approve a physical sample for handle and appearance.

For sale in Great Britain, textile labels must show fibre content. Check the proposed composition wording against a fibre test before approving labels. Agree the washing procedure, acceptable shrinkage, colour fastness and absorbency with the mill; keep a washed sample as the comparison for production.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2,000 square metres of woven linen terry fabric in rolls under 5802 20 00 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £32,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £32,000, so it is £6,400. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Composition and records: compare fibre test results with the ordered linen content, proposed label wording and roll identification.

Weight and dimensions: sample across rolls, measure weight per square metre, usable width and roll length, and compare them with the order and packing list.

Loops and surface: inspect for missing or pulled loops, uneven pile, loose yarns and weaving faults. Compare yarn thickening and surface texture with the approved sample.

Wash performance: measure dimensional change after the agreed wash, compare shades across rolls, check colour transfer and test water absorption. Use the quality inspection guide to organise the checks.

What goes wrong

A linen description can conceal a different ground-yarn composition. Uneven loops alter the surface, loose loops snag during handling, and excessive shrinkage reduces usable cutting yield. Finishes can also make fabric feel soft while slowing water absorption.

Approve both unwashed and washed samples, record the agreed finish and compare production rolls before cutting. Keep dye-lot and roll records so shade differences or wash failures can be traced to the affected fabric.

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.