Sourcing bouzoukis from China
Acoustic bouzoukis from China carry 2% UK import duty, with no duty variation across the supplied heading and no listed trade remedy. Confirm applicable consumer product safety requirements with the relevant authority, and check timber species for CITES restrictions. Agree the intended style, tuning and setup before production. Cambridge China Bridge sources bouzoukis.
Bouzouki classification and duty
Heading 9202 covers other string musical instruments. Acoustic bouzoukis fit the supplied other-string-instruments line, 9202 90 80 00. The table shows product variants sharing that commodity line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. Instruments whose sound is produced or amplified electrically fall under heading 9207, as explained in the reference guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the supplied lines carry 2% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension. The tariff attaches ivory import control and CITES import control. For ivory-containing goods, confirm the registration or exemption certificate requirement with your customs broker. Listed ivory must be registered or covered by an exemption before sale or hire.
The supplied data also lists ivory and CITES export controls and a cultural-object export licence measure; these concern subsequent export, rather than the purchase specification. Confirm any applicable export requirement with your broker. Check the exact instrument through finding your commodity code, and see the mandolins guide for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acoustic Greek bouzoukis | 9202 90 80 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the bouzouki style and setup
State whether the buyer wants a Greek or Irish bouzouki, and approve the body shape rather than relying on the product name. Specify bowl or flat back, scale length, string courses, tuning, string gauges, neck profile, fingerboard width and fret layout. Agree solid or laminated construction for each wooden component, the timber species, finish, bridge arrangement and tuners.
Confirm applicable general product safety requirements with the relevant authority. For CITES-listed timber, check the species and ask the relevant authority or your customs broker to confirm any finished-instrument exemption and whether Brazilian rosewood requires permits in the supplied instrument. Specify ivory-free nuts, saddles and decoration for the order. Keep an approved playing sample and a written setup sheet for production comparison.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 12 acoustic bouzoukis; illustrative order, with FOB value and freight in whole pounds under 9202 90 80 00, invoiced at £1,280 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,180. Duty at 2% is £43.60. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,223.60, so it is £444.72. Import taxes total £488.32; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £43.60 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Materials: match timber species, construction and decorative materials to the approved specification; check any applicable CITES paperwork and measure wood moisture before packing.
Setup: check neck relief, string action, nut slots and bridge position against the setup sheet; tune to the agreed tuning and check fretted intonation across the neck.
Playability: play each sampled instrument for buzzing, dead notes and uneven response between paired strings; check fret ends, tuner movement and whether pitch holds after repeated tuning.
Arrival and packing: inspect the neck joint, back seams, soundboard and finish for cracks or movement; check that cushioning supports the instrument without pressing on the bridge. Record defects before adjusting the setup.
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What goes wrong
A supplier may use the bouzouki name for an instrument with the wrong body, scale or tuning arrangement. A visually similar sample can still have unsuitable string tension, uneven action or poor intonation. Approve the instrument by playing it in the intended tuning, then inspect production against that sample.
Insufficiently seasoned wood can shrink after arrival, leaving sharp fret ends, cracked tops and open glue joints. A shifted bridge can spoil intonation, while slipping tuners make paired strings difficult to keep in tune. Agree humidity protection and neck support, and use a quality inspection brief that includes playing checks.
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 bouzoukis from China?
The supplied tariff data gives 2% for acoustic bouzoukis under 9202 90 80 00, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension.
Can I order Greek and Irish bouzoukis to the same specification?
Agree each style separately. Specify body shape, scale length, string courses, tuning and setup, and approve a playing sample for each design.
Do rosewood bouzoukis need CITES permits?
For Brazilian rosewood and other rosewoods, ask the relevant authority or your customs broker to confirm whether permits or finished-instrument exemptions apply. Confirm the exact species and paperwork before shipping.
How do I check bouzouki intonation?
Tune to the agreed tuning, compare open and fretted notes across the neck, and check paired strings separately. Inspect bridge position, nut slots and action if notes are uneven.