Sourcing surgical caps from China
Disposable nonwoven surgical caps from China normally carry 2% UK duty; 0% applies only where the disposable-hairnet suspension qualifies. If classified as medical devices, caps need MHRA registration for the Great Britain market. Cambridge China Bridge sources disposable nonwoven surgical caps.
Duty on disposable nonwoven surgical caps
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6505 covers knitted or made-up textile headgear and hairnets. Disposable nonwoven surgical caps should be checked against 6505 00 90 90, which carries 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff data records no anti-dumping or countervailing measure for this line. The table shows cap variants under the same candidate code.
The line has a 0.00 % autonomous tariff suspension restricted to disposable hairnets. Do not assume that a surgical cap qualifies simply because it contains hair. Ask your broker to confirm the suspension conditions against the actual construction and description. See the wider disposable hairnets guide. Confirm classification using finding your commodity code.
The tariff attaches CITES, cat and dog fur, and seal-product import controls. Cat and dog fur products are banned from import. CITES guidance requires permits for listed species. Specify the fabric and elastic composition, and ask your customs broker to confirm the requirements attached to the actual goods, including the seal-product control. The tariff also lists export controls concerning CITES, cat and dog fur, and goods for torture and repression; these are export entries.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disposable nonwoven surgical caps with ties | 6505 00 90 90 | 2% | None |
Specify fabric, fit and intended surgical use
Specify the nonwoven fibre, fabric mass, colour, cap shape, head circumference range, hair coverage, tie length or elastic construction, and seam method. Approve a physical sample that can be put on without tearing and keeps hair covered during movement. State whether the order is sterile or non-sterile, and agree individual or bulk packing.
Ask a compliance adviser to establish the medical-device and wearer-protection classification from the intended use and claims. If the caps are medical devices for Great Britain, they must be registered with MHRA. A manufacturer outside the UK must appoint a UK responsible person to register and act on its behalf. Request the applicable conformity documents through testing and certification support.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 20,000 disposable nonwoven surgical caps; illustrative order using the standard duty under 6505 00 90 90, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £770 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,270. Duty at 2% is £65.40. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,335.40, so it is £667.08. Import taxes total £732.48; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £65.40 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fabric: compare production caps with the approved sample for fabric mass, uniformity, holes, loose fibres and visible contamination.
Fit and fastening: try caps across the agreed head circumference range; check hair coverage, elastic recovery, tie attachment and comfort at the forehead.
Seams: stretch and handle the cap as during fitting; check for split welds, torn edges and ties pulling out.
Packing and records: check counts, batch identification and sterile or non-sterile descriptions against the order. For sterile orders, check unopened pack seals and match the supplied sterilisation records to the batch. Arrange quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
Caps can split along welded seams when stretched over the head, shed fibres, expose hair at the back or leave pressure marks from tight elastic. A lighter fabric or changed elastic can make production feel different from the approved sample. Include these checks in the inspection brief and compare delivered stock with the retained sample.
Sterile and non-sterile stock can be confused when cartons look alike. Keep their order descriptions and batch records distinct. Hold damaged packs and mismatched batches for investigation. A generic factory certificate does not show whether the supplied cap matches the claimed use; ask for documents identifying the actual product.
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 surgical caps from China?
The candidate code 6505 00 90 90 carries 2% duty. A 0.00 % suspension applies only to qualifying disposable hairnets. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure is recorded in the supplied tariff data.
Do disposable surgical caps need MHRA registration?
If classified as medical devices for the Great Britain market, yes. Confirm classification from the intended use and claims before ordering.
Should I order sterile or non-sterile surgical caps?
Agree this with the clinical buyer before sampling. Put the choice in the specification and packing artwork; for sterile orders, request batch-linked sterilisation records.
How do I check surgical cap quality on arrival?
Compare fabric and fit with the approved sample, stretch seams, pull ties, check elastic recovery and inspect packing. Confirm counts and batch records before releasing stock.