Sourcing microfibre terry fabric from China

Zero duty on woven microfibre terrry fabric

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 October 2026, heading 5802 covers terry towelling and similar woven terry fabrics, excluding narrow fabrics of heading 5806, and tufted textile fabrics, excluding products of heading 5703. Woven synthetic microfibre terry fabric falls within the other-textile-materials line, 5802 20 00 00. The table shows product variants sharing that commodity line.

The supplied tariff record gives 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, tariff suspensions or attached import controls. This rate concerns fabric, rather than a finished cleaning cloth. See the wider terry towelling fabric guide.

Ask the mill for the fibre composition, weaving construction and photographs of the fabric before confirming the commodity code. Knitted terry has a different classification. Budget separately for import VAT at 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.

Specify the cleaning fabric and finish

Specify polyester and polyamide content, yarn construction, fabric weight per square metre, usable width, roll length, loop height and whether the surfaces are looped. Ask whether the yarn is split microfibre and approve a physical sample. Agree water pickup, wiping performance, lint release and shrinkage using the surfaces and laundering process your customer will use.

State the finish and any softener treatment. Compare cleaning performance before and after washing, rather than accepting softness as proof of absorbency. For textile sales in England, Scotland and Wales, labels must show fibre content. REACH restrictions can limit, ban or set conditions on substances; ask a testing provider to assess the dyes and finishes against applicable restrictions.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 12,000 square metres of woven terry microfibre cleaning 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

Roll dimensions: measure usable width and sampled roll lengths, weigh fabric samples and compare the results with the purchase specification and packing list.

Construction: compare loop height, surface coverage and yarn appearance with the approved sample; check for missing loops, pulled yarns, weaving faults and damaged selvedges.

Cleaning performance: test water pickup and wiping on the intended surfaces before and after washing; check lint, streaks and snagging against the approved sample.

Wash and identification: check shrinkage, colour transfer and shade consistency after the agreed laundering procedure; compare fibre labels and roll batch details with the order. Use the inspection guide to plan sampling.

What goes wrong

A soft sample can conceal poor water pickup caused by its finish. Bulk rolls may differ in weight, loop coverage or shade, while lint and colour transfer become apparent during wiping. Washing can change dimensions and surface feel. Keep an approved sample and compare incoming fabric before cutting the rolls.

The description microfibre cleaning fabric does not establish whether the material is woven terry, knitted fabric or a finished cloth. A supplier can quote a different construction that looks similar in photographs. Put the construction, fibre blend, finish and acceptance checks in the purchase specification.

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.