Sourcing double basses from China

Double-bass duty and material controls

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, acoustic double basses fall within heading 9202, under other instruments played with a bow, code 9202 10 90 00. Duty on goods from China is 2%, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension recorded. The table shows construction variants sharing this commodity line. See the cellos guide for related bowed instruments.

The tariff attaches an ivory import control and a CITES import control. For any ivory-containing instrument from China, confirm the requirement with your customs broker before ordering. Where an exemption certificate is required, the item cannot be sold or hired out until it is received. For Brazilian rosewood and other rosewoods, confirm with the relevant CITES authority or your customs broker whether permits or finished-instrument exemptions apply, and identify the species rather than relying on the word rosewood.

Cases, strings and parts have separate classifications. Confirm the complete instrument and separately supplied accessories through finding your commodity code, particularly if electrical amplification is involved. Use UK import duty and VAT to check the landed-cost calculation.

Specify the body, playing setup and materials

Agree whether the top, back and ribs are carved solid wood or laminated, and name every timber species. Specify body size, vibrating string length, neck profile, fingerboard material, string type, tuning machines and endpin. State whether the setup is intended for bowed orchestral playing, pizzicato or both, and approve a playable sample.

Record agreed string heights, fingerboard scoop, bridge curvature and bridge-foot fit on a setup sheet. Consumer instruments must be safe under general product safety law. Include checks for sharp endpins, loose hardware and finish defects, and retain evidence demonstrating safety compliance before sale.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial consignment of laminated acoustic double basses for a music retailer under 9202 10 90 00, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,900. Duty at 2% is £98. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,998, so it is £999.60. Import taxes total £1,097.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £98 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Body and timber: match construction and species to the approved sample; check moisture condition, seams, neck joint, cracks and varnish.

Bridge and soundpost: check bridge feet sit against the top, the bridge is upright, and the soundpost remains correctly positioned; have a bass technician assess the setup.

Playing and hardware: play bowed and plucked passages, listen for buzzes, check fingerboard smoothness and string clearance, and test tuning machines and the endpin lock.

Packing and arrival: check neck support, cushioning and humidity protection; photograph cartons before unpacking and inspect the bridge, soundpost, ribs and neck joint. Agree the checks through quality inspection.

What goes wrong

Poorly seasoned timber can shrink in heated premises, opening seams or cracking the top. A badly fitted bridge, uneven fingerboard or unsuitable string height can make the bass difficult to play. Loose hardware and internal fittings can cause buzzing that a visual inspection misses.

Shipping movement can displace the bridge or soundpost and damage the neck joint. Agree whether the bridge travels fitted or removed, document the packing arrangement and arrange a competent setup check on arrival before accepting the batch for sale.

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.