How to export Sports equipment from the UK to China

Start with the equipment and the import route

Sports and fitness equipment covers HS 9506-9506 (17 subheadings). The largest UK export line to China was 95069190, articles and equipment for general physical exercise, gymnastics or athletics, at £5.0m in 2025.

HMRC recorded £7.4m of UK goods exports to mainland China under 17 HS6 subheadings in 2025 (2024: £6.3m, +16.7%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £1.8m. January to July 2026: £4.0m against £4.1m in the same months of 2025 (-2.1%). These totals are under the HS codes listed above.

Agree with the importer whether the equipment is for distribution or eligible cross-border retail, then have its customs broker confirm the model’s import requirements. GACC Decree 280 concerns overseas food manufacturers, so its food-manufacturer registration does not apply to this equipment. That does not settle other product requirements.

Use the Chinese tariff line to price the shipment

The listed Chinese tariff rates appear below; paired figures show the MFN rate followed by the provisional rate. Import VAT is generally 13%, subject to special rules, on customs value plus duty plus any applicable consumption tax. The importer’s customs broker or adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies to this equipment. Border taxes add to landed cost and shape the price the importer can offer.

Check fitness safety requirements and CCC scope

For stationary fitness equipment, address GB 17498.1-2008, Stationary training equipment: general safety requirements and test methods. It is a mandatory national standard with current status. Give the importer the model specification and relevant test evidence so it can assess applicability before you commit to supplying the model.

The 2020 SAMR/GACC CCC reference table has no commodity-code match beginning with these HS6 codes. Catalogue descriptions can still cover a product, so the code check is not a CCC exemption. Have the importer check the actual equipment against the catalogue description before shipment.

Prepare the UK export declaration

For exports from England, Scotland or Wales, obtain a GB EORI and classify each item under the correct UK commodity code. The online export declaration needs value, weight, packaging, destination, transport and invoice and packing-list references. Give the carrier the invoice and any applicable export licences or certificates. Keep complete equipment and separately supplied parts clearly identified in the shipment information.

Cross-border retail covers only part of the range

The cross-border retail list includes 95061100 skis, 95061200 ski bindings, 95061900 other ski equipment, 95062900 other water-sport equipment, 95063100 complete golf clubs and 95063200 golf balls. Do not extend those entries to the whole range. The retail limits are RMB 5,000 per transaction and RMB 26,000 annually per person.

Listed goods through bonded 1210 or direct 9610 are supervised as personal-use articles, with first-import licensing, registration and filing requirements disapplied, subject to the specified epidemic and emergency-risk exceptions. The overseas business retains product-quality responsibility and appoints a mainland-registered company for customs registration, truthful declarations and shared civil liability. Consumers must accept the risk notice covering standards differences, possible absence of Chinese labels, online Chinese e-labels and the personal-use restriction against resale.

Find and check the Chinese buyer before committing

Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands. If an importer has already approached your brand, our staff check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed. Use our export-to-China service to arrange that work.

We prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China. Regulated roles stay with those partners, including the importer of record and, where required, the cross-border e-commerce agent; your brand’s own filings stay yours. We check requirements with licensed partners.