Sourcing Concert Flutes from China

Concert flute duty: 2%

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 9205 covers wind musical instruments. Complete concert flutes fall within other wind instruments, code 9205 90 90 00, carrying 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no duty suspension. The table shows flute variants sharing this code.

The tariff attaches ivory, CITES and cat and dog fur import controls. For ivory-containing instruments imported for sale, confirm any Ivory Act registration or exemption requirements with the Animal and Plant Health Agency or your customs broker. For listed-species materials, establish whether a CITES permit is required before shipping; confirm the species and requirement with your customs broker. Imports of cat or dog fur and products made from it are banned. Ask for material declarations covering the flute and supplied case.

Confirm the commodity code for the actual shipment, particularly separately supplied parts and cases. For another flute family within this heading, see our piccolo guide.

Specify the headjoint and keywork

Specify concert pitch, straight or curved headjoint, lip-plate shape, open or closed holes, inline or offset key layout, footjoint configuration and any split mechanism. Record the materials of the headjoint, body, lip plate and keys separately, including plating and pad construction. Approve a playable sample rather than relying on photographs.

Specify final adjustment, cleaning accessories, case support and availability of matching replacement pads. Flutes sold to consumers must be safe under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 in Great Britain; confirm the applicable general product safety rules for Northern Ireland with Trading Standards if selling there. Obtain supplier statements on restricted substances in mouth-contact surfaces and finishes.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 12 concert flutes; illustrative order, values are not a quotation under 9205 90 90 00, invoiced at £2,400 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,300. Duty at 2% is £66. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,366, so it is £673.20. Import taxes total £739.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £66 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Playing: have a flautist test response and intonation across the range with a tuner, including softly played low notes.

Pads and keys: check pads seal, linked keys close together, springs return evenly and mechanisms move without sticking or excessive sideways play.

Joints and finish: check headjoint and footjoint fit, straightness, lip-plate edges, plating adhesion, scratches and tarnish.

Arrival packing: check the flute rests securely in its case without pressure on keys, and inspect for crushed cartons, damp lining and bent keywork. Use our inspection guide.

What goes wrong

Leaking pads make low notes difficult to produce, while uneven adjustment can leave linked keys partly open. Loose joints, weak springs and bent keywork create inconsistent response. A plated body may also be mistaken for solid silver if the quotation does not distinguish each component.

Compare production instruments with the approved sample, repeat the playing test after arrival and record defects by model and batch. Agree who handles adjustment and replacement parts before ordering.

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.