Sourcing modacrylic woven fabric from China

Duty on woven modacrylic staple fabric

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 5512 covers woven fabrics containing 85% or more by weight of synthetic staple fibres. The acrylic or modacrylic lines cover fabrics containing 85% or more by weight of those fibres. Unbleached and bleached fabric share a code; printed fabric and other finishes have separate codes.

The relevant lines carry 8% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. The table separates unbleached and bleached fabric for purchasing purposes, although their commodity code is identical.

Confirm the commodity code using fibre composition, staple yarn construction and finish. A modacrylic blend below the relevant threshold needs a fresh classification check. See the wider synthetic staple fabric guide for neighbouring product families.

Specify the modacrylic blend and intended use

Specify the modacrylic content and every other fibre separately, together with yarn count, weave, mass per square metre, usable width, colour, finish and roll packing. Agree shrinkage, tear strength, pilling and colour fastness against a signed sample. State whether the cloth will become upholstery, curtains or clothing.

For domestic upholstered furniture, confirm applicable match-test requirements with Trading Standards. Ask for a report matching the supplied fabric, weight and backing. Consumer fabric needs fibre-composition labelling; confirm applicable UK REACH azo-dye restrictions with HSE for textiles intended for skin contact. A supplier's description of the cloth as flame-retardant does not establish its performance in your intended application.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 6,000 metres of dyed woven modacrylic staple fabric under 5512 29 90 00, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £25,500. Duty at 8% is £2,040. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £27,540, so it is £5,508. Import taxes total £7,548; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £2,040 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Composition: test the production fabric for modacrylic and other fibres, and compare the result with the purchase specification and proposed fibre label.

Rolls: measure usable width and roll length, inspect weaving faults, and compare shade between rolls against the signed sample.

Performance: check shrinkage, tear strength, pilling and colour fastness after the agreed cleaning process.

Fire evidence: match the report's fabric identification, weight, finish and backing to the delivered lot. Arrange checks through testing and certification.

What goes wrong

A blend sold under a modacrylic description can contain less of that fibre than agreed. This can change classification and labelling. Other rejection points include inconsistent shade, short rolls, excessive shrinkage and a finish that changes the handle.

Fire reports can describe a different fabric weight or backing from the goods delivered. Keep the signed sample, production-lot test results and roll identifiers together, and inspect before dispatch and on arrival. Use the quality inspection guide to plan the checks.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.