Sourcing alcohol camping stoves from China
Iron or steel alcohol camping stoves and their identifiable parts from China carry 2% UK duty across the relevant lines. Consumer stoves sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Specify the fuel, burner and pot supports. Cambridge China Bridge sources alcohol camping stoves.
UK duty on alcohol camping stoves
Heading 7321 covers non-electric domestic appliances of iron or steel and their parts. Alcohol camping stoves within this heading are liquid-fuel cooking appliances under 7321 12 00 00; identifiable appliance parts fall under 7321 90 00 00. The table separates stove configurations sharing the same code. This guide covers stoves supplied without fuel. For kerosene cooking appliances, see our kerosene cooking stove sourcing guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, both relevant codes carried 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions, steel measure or attached import controls. Import VAT is normally 20%.
Confirm the material, fuel and complete appliance design using the commodity code guide. Check aluminium or brass designs separately rather than assuming this heading applies. Separately supplied accessories also need their own classification check. For gas models within the wider heading, see gas camping stoves.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron or steel alcohol camping stoves with fixed pot supports | 7321 12 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Identifiable parts of iron or steel alcohol camping stoves | 7321 90 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the burner, fuel and pot supports
Agree the body and burner materials, intended alcohol fuel, filling method, usable fuel capacity, burner opening, extinguishing device and storage arrangement. Specify the pot sizes and loaded pots to be used in sample checks. Record how the pot supports lock, how the windscreen fits and which components are included.
The General Product Safety Regulations 2005 apply to products intended for or likely to be used by consumers. For sale in Great Britain, the stove must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Ask for model-specific safety assessment and test records through testing and certification.
Specify English instructions covering the agreed fuel, filling, lighting, extinguishing and cooling procedure. Ask for explicit warnings against refilling a burning or hot burner and using the stove inside a tent. Include checks for fuel spills, hot surfaces and accidental tipping in the sample assessment.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 200 iron or steel alcohol camping stoves without fuel; hypothetical FOB value and freight including insurance under 7321 12 00 00, invoiced at £2,000 free on board, with £360 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,360. Duty at 2% is £47.20. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,407.20, so it is £481.44. Import taxes total £528.64; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £47.20 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: compare the delivered burner, supports and windscreen with the approved sample; check model identification, agreed markings and English instructions.
Fuel containment: have a competent tester check burner seams, filling access and leakage using the specified fuel and handling procedure; check storage-cap fit where supplied.
Pot support: assemble the stove and check support locking, level seating, sharp edges and stability with the agreed loaded pots.
Operation and arrival: arrange controlled outdoor lighting and extinguishing checks; inspect cooled components for distortion, then check incoming stock for dents, corrosion and missing fittings. Record findings using the quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A replacement burner can change the flame pattern, pot clearance or extinguishing behaviour even when it fits the same body. A windscreen can also obstruct access to the extinguishing device. Compare the assembled production configuration with the assessed sample before shipment.
Watch for leaking seams, loose folding supports, warped pot rests and caps mistaken for extinguishing devices. Instructions copied from another stove can describe the wrong fuel or filling procedure. Hold affected stock for investigation rather than relying on an intact carton as evidence of a sound stove.
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. For other camping equipment, see our guide to sourcing camping hammocks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on alcohol camping stoves from China?
Iron or steel alcohol camping stoves under 7321 12 00 00 and identifiable parts under 7321 90 00 00 carry 2% duty. No trade remedies are listed in the supplied record. Import VAT is normally 20%.
Does this code cover brass or aluminium alcohol stoves?
Heading 7321 covers appliances of iron or steel. Check brass or aluminium designs separately against their actual construction; do not copy the code from a similar-looking steel stove.
What safety evidence should I ask the factory for?
Ask for a safety assessment and test records matching the actual burner, supports, windscreen and specified fuel. Compare these with the production sample and supplied instructions.
Can I order alcohol camping stoves with fuel included?
This guide covers stoves without fuel. Treat a fuel-filled stove or a bundled fuel bottle as a separate enquiry and confirm classification and shipping arrangements before ordering.