Sourcing aluminium safety toe caps from China
Aluminium safety toe caps considered under heading 6406 have a 0% UK duty range in the supplied tariff snapshot. Confirm the loose-component code and assess compliance in the intended footwear: finished products must meet applicable legislation before sale in Great Britain. Cambridge China Bridge sources aluminium safety toe caps.
UK duty and classification
Heading 6406 covers footwear parts and accessories. For aluminium safety toe caps, distinguish loose caps from caps already incorporated into uppers or assemblies. The table includes related supply formats, not interchangeable classifications for loose caps. Send your broker drawings, material details and photographs to confirm the commodity code. See the steel safety toe-cap guide for the wider heading.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, all supplied lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied records show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. Confirm the classification before using this rate for an aluminium cap order.
The candidate loose-cap lines attach CITES, cat and dog fur, and seal-product import controls. Cat and dog fur products are banned. CITES-listed species require permits; commercial seal products require a seal catch certificate. These concern animal-derived materials, so document any coverings or supplied assemblies. Ask your customs broker to confirm the declarations and any permit requirements for the actual China shipment, including the attached export controls if re-exporting.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other footwear parts, not hand-made; candidate line for loose aluminium toe caps | 6406 90 90 90 | 0% | None |
| Other hand-made footwear parts; confirm applicability to hand-made toe caps | 6406 90 90 20 | 0% | None |
| Non-leather uppers and their parts, other than stiffeners, not hand-made | 6406 10 90 90 | 0% | None |
| Uppers attached to inner soles or other sole components, without outer soles | 6406 90 30 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the alloy, cap geometry and footwear fit
Specify the aluminium alloy, material condition, forming process, wall thickness, flange profile, surface treatment and edge covering. Agree drawings and tolerances for each size, including internal height, width, length and left or right orientation. Approve caps fitted to the intended last, lining and sole construction.
Agree impact and compression testing with a laboratory, identifying the cap model, size range and footwear construction tested. A finished product must comply with all applicable legislation when placed on the Great Britain market. Ask the assessor to confirm the conformity assessment and marking requirements for your supply format through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative mixed-size batch of loose aluminium safety toe caps, subject to classification confirmation; values are not a quotation under 6406 90 90 90, invoiced at £7,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,000, so it is £2,000. 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
Material: match alloy and material-condition records to production batches; investigate substitutions before accepting stock.
Geometry: measure the cap and flange against approved drawings, check pairing and size identification, and trial-fit caps in the intended footwear.
Edges and finish: check for burrs, cracks, dents, uneven coatings and loose edge coverings that could damage the lining.
Performance and traceability: match test reports to the supplied cap model and sizes, retain batch samples, and compare carton contents with the packing list during quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A cap can match the sample externally while having a different alloy, material condition or uneven wall thickness. Forming cracks and damaged flanges can escape a visual check. Require approval before material or tooling changes, and investigate failed impact or compression tests before releasing the batch.
A cap that fits the last can still sit poorly after lining and sole assembly. Its flange may interfere with bonding, or its edge may rub through the lining. Check assembled production samples as well as loose caps, and agree packing that prevents denting and mixed sizes.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on aluminium safety toe caps from China?
The supplied heading 6406 snapshot shows 0% duty across all lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension. Confirm the code for the actual cap and supply format.
Which commodity code covers loose aluminium safety toe caps?
6406 90 90 90 is a candidate for other non-hand-made footwear parts. The supplied facts do not name aluminium toe caps separately, so ask your customs broker to confirm it from drawings and construction details.
Do aluminium safety toe caps need CE or UKCA marking?
Ask a conformity assessor to establish the requirements for your loose component or finished footwear. Describe how the cap is supplied and incorporated, and do not assume a cap report settles the finished shoe’s compliance.
What should I specify before ordering aluminium toe caps?
Agree alloy, material condition, wall thickness, cap and flange geometry, size grading, edge covering and packing. Approve assembled samples and match impact and compression reports to the supplied design.