Sourcing display mannequin torsos from China

UK duty on display mannequin torsos

Heading 9618 covers tailors' dummies and other lay figures, together with animated shop-window displays. This guide concerns torsos used to display clothing. The material variants in the table share the same commodity code; they are not separate tariff lines. See our mannequins and dress forms guide for the wider heading.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, display mannequin torsos under 9618 00 00 00 carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions. It attaches import and export controls on cat and dog fur.

Cat and dog fur, including products made from it, is banned from import and export. Do not order torso coverings containing such fur. Describe the intended clothing-display use and materials when confirming the commodity code; decorative figures can fall under another heading.

Specify torso shape, finish and stand fittings

Specify fibreglass, polypropylene, polyethylene or a fabric-covered construction. Record shoulder width, chest, waist, torso length and the lower cut-off shape, with agreed tolerances. State whether the torso is headless, has a neck cap or includes detachable arms. Try the approved sample with the clothing it will display.

Agree colour, gloss, surface texture and the position of mould seams. For covered torsos, specify fabric, padding, seam placement and how the cover is secured. Specify the stand socket, support rod, base material and assembly method. Confirm whether the stand is included and protect metal fittings separately from painted surfaces.

For torsos sold to consumers in Great Britain, confirm the safety requirements under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 with the relevant authority. Their scope includes products likely to be used by consumers under reasonably foreseeable conditions. For shop use, check base stability and sharp edges on fittings; these are practical inspection checks.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 300 fibreglass display mannequin torsos; FOB and freight values are illustrative under 9618 00 00 00, invoiced at £27,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £29,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £29,500, so it is £5,900. 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

Measurements: compare sampled torsos with the approved drawing and sample, then dress them with the intended garments to check shoulder shape and fit.

Finish and covering: check neck and lower edges for cracks, chips and exposed fibres; compare colour and gloss, and inspect fabric seams, wrinkles and loose covering.

Assembly and stability: fit the supplied support rod and base, check socket alignment and locking, and look for rocking, rotation or sharp metal edges.

Packing and arrival: check necks and lower rims are protected, rods cannot strike the shell, and cartons contain the agreed fittings. Photograph damage before discarding packaging. See our quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A torso can match the stated chest measurement but still display garments poorly because the shoulders, waist shape or body length differ from the sample. Changed moulds, uneven paint and loose fabric covers can make a display range look inconsistent. Approve the finished torso with the intended garments, rather than approving material swatches alone.

Misaligned stand sockets cause leaning or rotation, while rods packed against shells can chip paint or crack fibreglass during transport. Assemble sampled units before dispatch and compare the packing with the approved arrangement. On arrival, separate damaged units and record the affected cartons and fittings.

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.