Sourcing disposable surgical gowns from China
Disposable surgical gowns from China carry 12% ordinary UK duty, with a conditional suspension to 0% for qualifying surgical or medical protective garments. Medical-device gowns must be registered before sale in Great Britain. Check intended use, barrier evidence and sterile packaging. Cambridge China Bridge sources disposable surgical gowns.
Ordinary duty and the surgical-use suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 16 October 2026, heading 6210 covers garments made from felt, nonwoven and specified coated or treated fabrics. The dedicated line 6210 10 92 00 covers single-use nonwoven gowns used by patients or surgeons during surgical procedures. The other table rows are construction-dependent alternatives, not interchangeable codes for the same gown.
The listed lines carry 12% ordinary duty for goods from China. Each table row has a conditional autonomous suspension to 0.00 % for the surgical or medical protective garments described in its footnote. The supplied tariff facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no attached import controls. Confirm eligibility before claiming the suspension.
Give your broker the fabric construction, coating details, intended use and product photographs to confirm the commodity code. For the wider product family, see disposable nonwoven coveralls.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-use nonwoven gowns for patients or surgeons during surgery | 6210 10 92 00 | 12% | None |
| Felt surgical garments, where the fabric construction fits this line | 6210 10 10 00 | 12% | None |
| Men's coated woven or rubberised textile surgical gowns | 6210 40 00 00 | 12% | None |
| Women's or unisex coated woven or rubberised textile surgical gowns | 6210 50 00 00 | 12% | None |
Specify the gown's intended use and barrier construction
Specify whether the gown is for a surgeon or patient, its intended procedure, sterile or non-sterile supply, fabric composition and weight, reinforcement at the chest and sleeves, seam construction, cuff material, gown length and waist fastening. Agree the size chart, tolerances, folding method and individual packaging against an approved sample.
For gowns supplied as medical devices in Great Britain, registration is required before market placement. A manufacturer outside the UK must appoint a UK responsible person. Manufacturers must hold clinical data supporting medical-device claims. Ask for the exact model's declaration, supporting test reports and registration evidence before approving production.
For sterile Class I devices using the UKCA route, approved-body assessment covers manufacturing aspects that secure and maintain sterile conditions. Ask the factory for sterilisation validation, batch records, packaging evidence and shelf-life support. If wearer protection is also claimed, have the proposed protective-equipment assessment checked through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1,000 disposable nonwoven surgical gowns; confirm suspension eligibility under 6210 10 92 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,800. Duty at 12% is £816. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,616, so it is £1,523.20. Import taxes total £2,339.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £816 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Construction: compare fabric, reinforced areas, seam joins, sleeve attachment and cuff fit with the approved sample; check for holes, loose fibres and weak ties.
Fit: measure gown length, sleeve length and body width against the agreed chart; check coverage and fastening while the wearer moves.
Sterile packs: check seals, punctures, moisture damage, batch identification and expiry information against the agreed packaging specification; reconcile delivery batches with sterilisation records.
Documents: match the gown model and manufacturer across packaging, declarations and test reports. Review barrier evidence for the finished construction, including seams. See quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
Orders fail when the factory substitutes lighter fabric, reduces reinforced areas or changes seam construction after sample approval. A fabric report alone does not establish how the finished gown performs. Record the approved construction and require agreement before substitutions.
Damaged sterile packs, mixed batches and documents covering a different gown can make a shipment unsuitable for the buyer's intended use. Quarantine affected stock while the supplier investigates. Do not assume that a tariff suspension establishes medical-device compliance.
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 disposable surgical gowns from China?
The listed gown lines carry 12% ordinary duty. Qualifying surgical or medical protective garments have a conditional suspension to 0.00 %. Confirm the code and footnote eligibility before entry.
Which commodity code covers disposable nonwoven surgical gowns?
6210 10 92 00 covers single-use nonwoven gowns used by patients or surgeons during surgical procedures. Felt and coated woven constructions need separate classification.
Do surgical gowns need medical-device registration?
Gowns supplied as medical devices must be registered before being placed on the Great Britain market. The overseas manufacturer must appoint a UK responsible person.
What should I check on sterile surgical gowns?
Check pack seals, batch identification, expiry information and matching sterilisation records. Review validation and packaging evidence, alongside the gown's construction and barrier reports.