Sourcing cough assist machines from China
The supplied tariff record shows 0% UK duty on the candidate cough assist line, with no listed trade remedies. Before sale in Great Britain, confirm medical device conformity, MHRA registration and the Chinese manufacturer's UK Responsible Person. Cambridge China Bridge sources cough assist machines.
Duty and the cough assist commodity code
Heading 9019 includes other therapeutic respiration apparatus. For a cough assist machine using positive and negative pressure cycles, investigate 9019 20 90 00, covering other apparatus, including parts and accessories. The table shows configurations sharing this candidate line, rather than separate tariff lines. For the wider heading, see medical ventilators.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the supplied record shows 0% duty for goods from China across the heading, including the candidate cough assist line. It lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls. This tariff position does not establish medical device conformity.
Confirm the commodity code using the manufacturer's intended use, operating principle and supplied kit. Describe the pressure cycling and cough assistance function clearly. Do not classify the machine as a non-invasive ventilator solely because it uses a patient mask.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cough assist machines with manual cycle control | 9019 20 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specify pressure cycling and the patient circuit
Specify positive and negative pressure ranges, pressure accuracy, inspiratory and expiratory timing, pause settings and manual or automatic operation. Where offered, define patient triggering, oscillation settings and battery operation. Agree the bench equipment, circuit configuration and acceptance criteria used to verify each claimed function.
List the supplied tubing, filters, masks, connectors and power supply. Ask for evidence supporting compatible patient interfaces and the manufacturer's cleaning instructions. Agree replacement consumables, service access and how software or component changes will be approved.
For placement on the Great Britain market, the Chinese manufacturer must appoint a UK Responsible Person, and the device must be registered with the MHRA before market placement. Confirm the relevant medical device marking and conformity assessment requirements with the MHRA. Request the exact model's classification rationale, declaration and applicable certificates, and confirm the accepted CE or UKCA route with testing and certification support.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small batch of automatic cough assist machines under 9019 20 90 00, invoiced at £10,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,900, so it is £2,180. 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
Pressure cycle: have a competent tester measure positive and negative pressure, cycle timing and switching against the agreed specification using the manufacturer's bench procedure.
Controls: test manual operation, automatic cycling, claimed triggering and any fitted alarms. Check displayed settings against measured behaviour and verify the documented restart behaviour.
Circuit and power: check tubing retention, leaks, filter orientation and supplied interfaces. Inspect the power supply and, where fitted, battery charging and operation against the approved configuration.
Identity and arrival: match model and serial identification to the paperwork and approved English instructions. Inspect housings, ports and packaging for damage, and record functional sampling through quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A displayed pressure setting can differ from the pressure measured through the supplied circuit. Leaking connectors, substituted filters or changed tubing can affect the result. Agree tests with the actual accessories, and retain an approved reference configuration.
Documents may cover a different model or manufacturer, while production machines contain changed valves, sensors or software. Match the shipment to its conformity evidence before release. Specify replacement consumables and repair arrangements before accepting the batch.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For components and parts, see sourcing for manufacturers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on cough assist machines from China?
The supplied record shows 0% duty under candidate code 9019 20 90 00, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the code for the actual machine.
Do cough assist machines need MHRA registration?
Yes, before placement on the Great Britain market. Confirm registration for the exact device and the Chinese manufacturer's UK Responsible Person arrangements.
Is a cough assist machine classified as a ventilator?
Do not assume so from its mask or appearance. Give your customs broker the intended use, pressure cycling description and kit contents to confirm the commodity code.
What should I test before accepting cough assist machines?
Check measured positive and negative pressure, cycle timing, controls, circuit leakage and any claimed triggering or alarms against agreed bench criteria.