Sourcing elbow crutches from China

Elbow crutches: zero UK duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, heading 9021 includes crutches within orthopaedic appliances. The relevant line is 9021 10 10 00, with 0% duty for goods from China. The table shows product variants within this same tariff line, rather than separate classifications.

The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension for this line. It attaches import and export controls on cat and dog fur. The importer should confirm the requirement with their customs broker, particularly if a proposed cuff or grip covering contains fur.

Confirm the commodity code against the complete product description and intended use before ordering. For other products in this heading, see orthopaedic supports and braces.

Specify the shaft, cuff and adjustment

Define the intended users, claimed user weight, shaft material, height adjustment range, grip shape and cuff opening. Supply drawings showing measurement points and agree whether crutches are packed individually or in pairs. Specify the ferrule material, tread, fit and replacement availability.

Confirm with the medicines regulator whether elbow crutches intended to compensate for injury or disability fall within the medical-device definition. For Great Britain, ask the regulator to confirm the conformity assessment appropriate to the device class and whether the Chinese manufacturer needs a UK Responsible Person; medical devices must be registered with the regulator before placement on the market. Match the documents to the actual model.

Agree strength and repeated-loading tests against the claimed user weight, including tests with the shaft extended. Ask for results on the proposed production construction. Use testing and certification support to settle the evidence before approving packaging.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of paired adjustable elbow crutches under 9021 10 10 00, invoiced at £8,500 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £11,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £11,000, so it is £2,200. 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

Adjustment: measure the approved height range, operate every adjustment position on sampled crutches and check that locking buttons engage fully without shaft movement.

Shaft and joints: inspect tubes for dents, burrs and corrosion, check straightness and joint play, and compare the construction with the approved sample and test reports.

Cuffs and grips: check dimensions, smooth edges, secure attachment and resistance to twisting; compare skin-contact materials with the agreed specification.

Ferrules and packing: check tread, secure fit and contact with the floor, then verify pairing, model identification and instructions against approved artwork during quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A locking button can appear engaged while sitting partly inside the adjustment hole. Loose telescopic tubes, rotating grips, cracked cuffs and poorly fitting ferrules can undermine support. Check finished production pieces at the intended settings rather than judging only a collapsed display sample.

A factory may change tube thickness, cuff resin or ferrule compound after sample approval. Record the approved materials and construction, compare production pieces with the tested model, and resolve substitutions before shipment. Documents for another crutch model do not establish the performance of the batch being purchased.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.