Sourcing woven polyester-acrylic from China

A flat 8%, once the heading is confirmed

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 5515 covers other woven fabrics of synthetic staple fibres. This guide concerns polyester-acrylic blends confirmed within that heading. Check the combined synthetic staple content: fabrics containing 85% or more synthetic staple belong outside this scope. See the spun polyester and acrylic fabrics guide.

The listed lines carry 8% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded and no suspension. The table shows candidate polyester and acrylic branches, rather than codes applicable to every polyester-acrylic fabric. Confirm the commodity code using the complete composition, fibre form and fabric finish. The wider blended-fabrics guide covers the wider heading.

The supplied tariff record attaches CITES import and export controls to these candidate lines. Ask your customs broker to confirm how the control is satisfied for the actual composition. If the fabric contains a CITES-listed specimen, imports into Great Britain require the relevant permit; obtain corresponding documents from the Chinese authority. Government guidance says not to ship, pay or enter contracts for such specimens before obtaining the correct permit.

Specify the blend, surface and intended use

Record every fibre and its proportion, including any fibres beyond polyester and acrylic. State whether the yarns contain staple fibres or filaments. Agree yarn count, weave, mass per square metre, usable width, roll length and whether the surface is brushed, raised or smooth. Keep an approved sample showing the required handle and surface appearance.

Specify the intended garment or furnishing use and the care method. Agree acceptance criteria for pilling, abrasion, seam slippage, dimensional change and colour fastness. For raised cloth, approve the pile direction and appearance after cleaning. Textile labels must show fibre content; the fibre composition names used for consumer sales should follow the labelling rules described in the reference guide.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 1,800 metres of dyed polyester-acrylic blend fabric, illustratively classified here under 5515 19 90 00, invoiced at £8,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,200. Duty at 8% is £736. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,936, so it is £1,987.20. Import taxes total £2,723.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £736 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Composition: compare a laboratory fibre analysis with the order and proposed label, including any additional fibres.

Rolls: measure usable width, length and mass; inspect weaving faults, bowing, skew and damaged selvedges.

Surface and shade: compare rolls with the approved sample under consistent lighting; check brushing, pile direction and shade across the width.

Wear and cleaning: check pilling, abrasion, seam slippage, shrinkage and colour transfer against the agreed criteria. Record results before releasing the fabric for cutting.

What goes wrong

A sample can feel acceptable while bulk cloth differs in blend, weight or finish. Uneven brushing changes the appearance, mixed roll shades spoil matching panels, and pilling becomes visible after rubbing. Cleaning can change the dimensions or handle, leaving the finished item different from the approved sample.

Keep a signed sample and shade band, identify rolls by production lot, and trial the intended cleaning process before cutting bulk cloth. Separate suspect rolls while checking the affected lot. Use the quality inspection guide to agree the inspection scope with the mill.

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.