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European Union Import Duty Rate for Fabrics & Technical Textiles

HS 5208 / 5512 · Woven fabrics of cotton or synthetic fibres

European Union MFN Import Duty Rate

Live

6.5–12%

on CIF value

EU–Vietnam: 0–12%

Cotton fabrics (Ch. 52) and synthetics (Ch. 55) typically 6.5–12%. Exact rate depends on fibre and weave.

Rate varies — verify exact HS subheading at the official tariff schedule.

How duty is calculated

CIF value

Product cost + international freight + insurance

Import duty (6.5–12%)

Applied to CIF value. EU, UK, and most countries use CIF.

VAT (20%)

Applied to CIF value + duty. Collected at customs.

Use our Landed Cost Calculator to compute the full cost including freight, brokerage, and last-mile delivery.

Worked example: fabrics & technical textiles worth US$10,000

A commercial shipment invoiced at US$10,000 with US$900 of international freight and insurance. European Union charges duty on the CIF value (goods + freight + insurance), so the duty base is US$10,900. Customs converts the amount to EUR at the official exchange rate on the day of import.

Charge	At 6.5%	At 12%
Import duty	$709	$1,308
VAT (20%)	$2,322	$2,442
Total paid at the border	$3,030	$3,750

VAT is usually recoverable for a registered business, so the cost that stays with you is the duty. The rate depends on the exact subheading, which is why the example shows both ends of the 6.5–12% range. Excise, anti-dumping duties and broker fees are not included.

Classifying fabrics & technical textiles correctly

Woven fabrics are classified by fibre: 5208–5212 cotton, 5407–5408 synthetic filament, 5512–5516 synthetic staple fibre; knitted fabrics are 6001–6006.

The fibre that predominates by weight decides the chapter
Coated or laminated fabrics move to 5903 or 5907
Technical textiles (filter fabrics, conveyor belts) go to 5911

Compliance. Fabric rates are high in many markets and rules of origin are strict (yarn-forward under USMCA), so origin evidence is decisive.

Importing into European Union: what you need

Customs is run by each member state (Zoll in Germany, Douane in France, Agencja Celna in Poland) under the Union Customs Code; rates come from the Common Customs Tariff and TARIC.

Registration. An EORI number issued by the member state where the importer is established. Non-EU sellers either appoint an indirect customs representative or ship DDP through a carrier that acts as declarant.

Low-value shipments. Goods worth €150 or less were duty-free until 30 June 2026. Since 1 July 2026 a flat €3 customs duty applies to each tariff heading in a low-value parcel sold through IOSS (Council Regulation (EU) 2026/382), until normal duties take over in July 2028. VAT is due from the first euro, collected at checkout under IOSS or at import.

Documents customs will ask for

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading or air waybill
Proof of origin for preferential rates (statement on origin or REX statement)
Import licence or certificate where the product is regulated

Charges on top of duty

Import VAT at the rate of the member state of import (17–27%)
Excise on alcohol, tobacco and energy products
Anti-dumping duties on specific product/origin pairs (TARIC additional codes)
CBAM certificates for iron, steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers and hydrogen above the 50-tonne annual threshold

Watch out. VAT, not duty, is usually the bigger number — a 3% duty on a €10,000 shipment is €300, while 20% VAT on the duty-paid value is over €2,100. VAT-registered importers recover it; consumers do not.

Frequently asked questions

What is the import duty rate for Fabrics & Technical Textiles in European Union?

The MFN (Most Favoured Nation) import duty rate for Fabrics & Technical Textiles (HS 5208 / 5512) in European Union is 6.5–12% on the CIF value. Cotton fabrics (Ch. 52) and synthetics (Ch. 55) typically 6.5–12%. Exact rate depends on fibre and weave.

Is VAT charged on Fabrics & Technical Textiles imports to European Union?

Yes. European Union charges VAT at 20% on the CIF value plus any import duty. This applies to virtually all commercial imports.

Are there FTA rates available for Fabrics & Technical Textiles in European Union?

Yes. EU–Vietnam: 0–12%. CETA (Canada), JEFTA (Japan), EU–Korea FTA, EU–Vietnam FTA (EVFTA), EU–UK TCA are the key agreements — verify origin requirements with your customs broker.

How is import duty calculated for Fabrics & Technical Textiles entering European Union?

Duty is calculated on the CIF value of the goods. CIF value includes the product cost, international freight, and insurance. The MFN duty of 6.5–12% is applied to this value. VAT (20%) is then applied on the duty-paid value.