Sourcing cricket practice nets from China
The relevant sports-equipment lines carry 0% to 2% UK duty from China, depending on classification. Confirm the code for the complete cricket net system or replacement mesh. Consumer-use nets sold in Great Britain must be safe, including under foreseeable use. Cambridge China Bridge sources cricket practice nets.
Duty depends on the supplied net system
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 9506 covered sports and outdoor-game equipment. Cricket equipment other than balls under 9506 99 10 00 carried 0% duty from China; other sports equipment under 9506 99 90 00 carried 2%. These are classification candidates, not a ruling for every net. The table also includes separately supplied practice balls.
The selected lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The tariff attaches cat and dog fur import and export controls: such fur and products made from it are banned. Specify synthetic netting and confirm the material declaration. It also lists a DCMS export licence control; ask the broker to confirm its relevance to any onward export.
Send the broker the mesh material, intended sport, drawings and a packing list identifying the net, frame and accessories. Confirm the commodity code, particularly for replacement mesh supplied alone. For the wider heading, see our football sourcing guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cricket equipment other than balls, subject to confirmation for net systems | 9506 99 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other sports equipment, where applicable to a general-purpose net system | 9506 99 90 00 | 2% | None |
| Cricket balls supplied separately for practice | 9506 69 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other non-inflatable training balls, excluding cricket balls | 9506 69 90 00 | 2% | None |
Specify containment, mesh and anchoring
State whether the net is for hard-ball or soft-ball practice, indoor suspension or outdoor installation, and a fixed cage or portable frame. Specify finished dimensions, mesh opening, twine material and diameter, knot construction, roof coverage, entrance overlap and reinforced edges. Identify replacement panels and the method of attachment.
For frames, agree tube dimensions, coating, joints, fasteners and anchoring for the intended surface. Request an assembly drawing and agree a practical ball-containment test with the approved sample. Consumer-use products in Great Britain fall within the general product safety rules; the importer must ensure safety before placing them on the market.
Agree installation, anchoring and inspection instructions. Where reasonable, the product or packaging must identify the producer's name and address and the product or batch reference. Keep the supplied model and batch tied to the inspection records.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 24 complete cricket practice net systems, assuming this classification is confirmed under 9506 99 10 00, invoiced at £15,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £17,500, so it is £3,500. 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
Netting: check finished dimensions, mesh openings, twine, joins and edge reinforcement against the approved sample; look for skipped stitching and damaged strands.
Containment: assemble the supplied system and check roof coverage, entrance overlap and gaps beneath the net using the agreed ball-containment test.
Frame and anchors: check joints, welds, coating damage, sharp edges and the complete fastening and anchoring kit.
Arrival and records: count panels and fittings, check transit damage, and match instructions and product identification to the delivered model. Plan checks with our quality inspection guide.
What goes wrong
A net can match the overall dimensions yet let a ball escape through an entrance, an open roof or a gap at ground level. Weak edge stitching can pull away from the frame. A portable cage may move when struck if the anchoring arrangement does not suit the surface.
Replacement panels may have the wrong attachment spacing, while unlabelled frame parts make assembly difficult. Approve an assembled sample rather than loose mesh alone, record the containment test, and compare delivered components with the agreed drawings before installation.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on cricket practice nets from China?
The supplied facts show 0% for cricket equipment other than balls and 2% for other sports equipment. Confirm which code applies to your net system; replacement mesh needs its own classification check.
What should I specify for a hard-ball cricket net?
Specify mesh opening, twine, reinforced edges, roof coverage, entrance overlap and ground-level closure. Agree a ball-containment test on the assembled sample.
What safety rules apply when selling cricket nets in Great Britain?
Consumer-use nets are covered by the general product safety rules. Importers must ensure they are safe before placing them on the market, including under reasonably foreseeable use.
Can I order replacement cricket net panels?
Specify finished panel dimensions, mesh, edge reinforcement and attachment spacing against the existing frame. Confirm the commodity code for panels supplied separately.