Sourcing woven work trousers from China
Woven work trousers from China under heading 6203 carry a flat 12% UK duty across the selected lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Fibre composition labels are required; for high-visibility trousers sold to protect the wearer, confirm the applicable protective equipment requirements with the relevant authority. Cambridge China Bridge sources woven work trousers.
Duty and classification for woven work trousers
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, the selected men's woven trouser lines under heading 6203 carry 12% duty on goods from China. No anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension is recorded for these lines. The wider heading includes suits, jackets, overalls and shorts; see the apparel guide.
The tariff attaches cat and dog fur and seal-product import controls to these lines. Imports containing cat or dog fur are banned. Seal products qualify only under limited exceptions; the traditional-hunt exemption requires a seal catch attestation. For any animal-derived trim sourced through China, confirm the applicable requirement with your customs broker before ordering.
Industrial and occupational classification depends on the garment's protective use and tough or non-shrink fabric, rather than its sales name alone. Supply the fabric composition, construction, intended use and garment sample to confirm the commodity code. The table includes other trouser lines for comparison where industrial and occupational classification does not apply.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's cotton industrial and occupational trousers | 6203 42 11 00 | 12% | None |
| Men's synthetic-fibre industrial and occupational trousers | 6203 43 11 00 | 12% | None |
| Men's other cotton trousers, excluding denim and cut corduroy | 6203 42 35 00 | 12% | None |
| Men's other synthetic-fibre trousers | 6203 43 19 00 | 12% | None |
Specify fabric, fit and reinforcement
Agree the fibre blend, fabric weight, weave, stretch recovery, colour and finished measurements with tolerances. Include waist, seat, rise, thigh and inside-leg measurements, plus the size breakdown. Specify pocket depth, tool-pocket layout, belt loops, crotch reinforcement, knee panels and whether knee-pad pockets are required. Approve a sample while sitting, bending and kneeling.
Every garment needs a fibre composition label. Agree care instructions and test the production fabric using the intended washing method. For high-visibility trousers sold to protect the wearer, confirm conformity assessment, declaration of conformity and marking requirements with the relevant authority. Check that the exact garment and colour are covered by the supporting documents, and agree branding positions against the areas assessed for protective performance.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 pairs of men's cotton woven work trousers under 6203 42 11 00, invoiced at £5,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,800. Duty at 12% is £696. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,496, so it is £1,299.20. Import taxes total £1,995.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £696 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: measure garments across the ordered sizes against the approved chart; check waist adjustment, crotch movement and knee-pocket position when kneeling.
Fabric: compare composition, weight and colour with the approved sample; wash production garments and check shrinkage, colour transfer and stretch recovery.
Construction: inspect crotch seams, pocket corners, belt-loop attachments and bar tacks; operate fly zips and fasteners and check for sharp or exposed hardware.
Labels and packing: match fibre labels, care instructions, size labels and carton contents to the order; for protective styles, check the exact garment documentation. Use an agreed inspection checklist.
What goes wrong
A waist measurement can pass while the seat or rise makes the trousers uncomfortable when crouching. Washing can shorten the legs, twist seams or move knee-pad pockets out of position. Tool pockets tear at corners, belt loops pull away and fly zips fail when reinforcement or components differ from the approved sample.
Keep a sealed sample and the agreed measurement chart available for production and arrival checks. Test washed garments as well as unwashed samples. For protective styles, check branding before production: logos covering fluorescent or reflective areas can reduce the area the certification relies on.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on woven work trousers from China?
The selected trouser lines under heading 6203 carry 12% duty on goods from China. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension for these lines.
Which commodity code covers cotton work trousers?
Men's cotton industrial and occupational trousers appear under 6203 42 11 00. Confirm the garment's construction and intended use before choosing that line.
Do high-visibility work trousers need certification?
For high-visibility trousers sold to protect the wearer, confirm with the relevant authority whether personal protective equipment rules apply and what conformity assessment, declaration of conformity and marking are required.
What should I check after washing work trousers?
Check waist and inside-leg shrinkage, seam twisting, colour transfer and stretch recovery. Try the washed trousers while kneeling to check knee-pocket position and crotch movement.