Sourcing carriage-driving whips from China
Carriage-driving whips from China carry 2% UK duty on both hand-made and other goods, with no trade remedy recorded. Check the design against the torture-equipment ban and identify any CITES-listed or seal-derived materials before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources carriage-driving whips.
2% duty on carriage-driving whips
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6602 covers walking sticks, seat-sticks, whips, riding-crops and the like. Carriage-driving whips fall within this family. Both hand-made goods under 6602 00 00 10 and other goods under 6602 00 00 90 carry 2% duty for China. The supplied record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension. The table repeats these tariff lines for different lash specifications.
The tariff attaches a torture-equipment import prohibition, CITES import control and seal-product import control. Multiple-lash whips are within the torture-equipment import ban and cannot be imported for ordinary business sales. Seal-derived components can enter Great Britain for sale only under the Inuit and other indigenous communities’ exemption. Ask the supplier to identify the species and origin of any animal-derived or wooden component before ordering.
For CITES-listed materials, confirm the applicable permit requirement before shipment; official guidance requires a permit for species listed in Annex A, B or C. The tariff also attaches CITES and torture-equipment export controls; confirm their application with your customs broker before any onward export. Confirm the commodity code using the finished design and manufacturing method. For the wider product family, see riding crops.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-made carriage-driving whips with leather lashes | 6602 00 00 10 | 2% | None |
| Other carriage-driving whips with leather lashes | 6602 00 00 90 | 2% | None |
Specify the shaft, balance and lash
State shaft length separately from lash length, shaft material, taper, flex, finished weight and balance point. Specify grip diameter, covering, end cap, lash material, attachment method and replaceability. Approve a sample for the intended carriage position and reach. Include photographs showing how the lash joins the shaft, and exclude barbs, hooks, spikes and metal wire from the lash specification.
For consumer carriage-driving whips sold in Great Britain, the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 provide the safety framework. Supply safe products and agree suitable handling information. Ask the factory to demonstrate shaft flex and lash retention against your agreed specification, and retain the approved sample for comparison with production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of carriage-driving whips for an equestrian retailer under 6602 00 00 90, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,900. Duty at 2% is £198. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,098, so it is £2,019.60. Import taxes total £2,217.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £198 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Shaft and balance: compare length, taper, weight and balance with the approved sample; flex the shaft and check for cracks, exposed fibres and permanent bending.
Lash attachment: check stitching, binding and the shaft connection; repeat the agreed pull and flex checks, and inspect the lash for fraying or splitting.
Grip and finish: check grip security, end-cap retention, smooth edges and colour transfer onto a damp cloth; compare the material with the approved specification.
Packing and identity: check that shafts remain straight, lashes are protected from tight folds and cartons identify the ordered variants. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspection.
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What goes wrong
A whip can match the overall length yet feel different because its balance point, taper or lash weight has changed. Loose binding lets the lash detach, rough fibreglass exposes fibres, and weak grip adhesive allows rotation. Inspect against the approved sample rather than relying on a photograph or a generic description.
Long shafts can arrive bent when cartons lack support, while tightly folded leather lashes can retain creases. Agree straight packing and material identification before production. A supplier’s description of the item as an equestrian whip does not resolve the attached import controls; check the actual design and materials.
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 carriage-driving whips from China?
Both hand-made goods under 6602 00 00 10 and other goods under 6602 00 00 90 carry 2% in the supplied tariff record. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure is recorded.
Can I import a carriage-driving whip with several lashes?
Multiple-lash whips are listed within the torture-equipment import ban. They cannot be imported for ordinary business sales. Check the finished design before placing an order.
What should I specify for a carriage-driving whip?
Specify shaft and lash lengths separately, taper, flex, weight, balance point, grip covering and lash attachment. Approve a sample for the intended carriage position and reach.
Can I order whips with exotic leather or wooden handles?
Identify the species before ordering and check CITES permit requirements. Seal-derived materials face a separate import restriction. Ask your customs broker to confirm the controls for the exact materials.