Sourcing filtering fire escape hoods from China
Filtering fire escape hoods classified under heading 9020 attract 0% UK duty from China across the supplied lines. Confirm the applicable PPE category, conformity assessment and production-control requirements with the relevant authority before sale. Cambridge China Bridge sources filtering fire escape hoods.
Duty and classification for escape hoods
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 7 November 2026, heading 9020 covers other breathing appliances and gas masks, excluding protective masks having neither mechanical parts nor replaceable filters. Confirm that the particular escape hood meets the heading description rather than classifying it from its sales name.
Both supplied commodity lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. The table repeats the supplied codes for relevant product presentations; packaging alone does not establish classification.
Give your customs broker the hood construction, filter arrangement and intended use to confirm the commodity code. See respirators and breathing apparatus for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filtering fire escape hoods classified as gas masks | 9020 00 10 90 | 0% | None |
| Other filtering escape breathing appliances, subject to classification | 9020 00 90 99 | 0% | None |
Specify the hood, filter and sealed pack
Specify the exact hood and filter model, intended escape application, claimed protection against named gases and smoke, claimed protection duration, wearer range, neck seal, inner mask and visor. Ask for test reports supporting those claims for the complete assembly. Agree unopened shelf life, storage conditions, minimum remaining shelf life on delivery and the opening method.
Confirm the applicable PPE category and any type-examination and ongoing production-control requirements with the relevant authority. For sale in Great Britain, ask the relevant authority to confirm the applicable UKCA or CE route, declaration of conformity and English-instruction requirements. Match the conformity documents to the supplied hood and filter, rather than accepting certificates for an ordinary industrial respirator.
Filtering hoods are unsuitable for oxygen-deficient atmospheres. Keep the manufacturer's use limitations visible in the buying specification and customer instructions. Arrange testing and certification review before approving production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2,000 filtering fire escape hoods under 9020 00 10 90, invoiced at £44,000 free on board, with £1,600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £45,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £45,600, so it is £9,120. 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
Documents: match the certificate, declaration, test reports and production-control evidence to the manufacturer, hood and filter model.
Sealed packs: check for punctures, open seams, damaged cases and readable batch and expiry markings; compare remaining shelf life with the purchase specification.
Assembly: use designated inspection samples to check neck seals, inner-mask positioning, filter attachment and visor clarity against the approved sample.
Opening and instructions: check the opening method and donning sequence on inspection samples; confirm English instructions and storage information. Record findings through quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
Watch for certificates covering another filter, protection claims unsupported by the complete-hood test report, difficult pack opening, damaged seals and stock approaching expiry. Agree how opened inspection samples will be segregated from saleable sealed stock.
A hood-shaped cover is not evidence of respiratory protection. Do not accept an escape-use claim solely because the packaging says it filters smoke. Ask the supplier to resolve mismatches between the product, certification and instructions before shipment.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For components and parts, see sourcing for manufacturers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on filtering fire escape hoods from China?
The supplied heading 9020 lines carry 0% duty from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the exact hood's commodity code before importing.
What conformity documents should I request?
Request the exact model's type-examination certificate, production-control evidence, declaration of conformity and English instructions. Confirm the applicable PPE category with the relevant authority.
Can a filtering escape hood be used where oxygen is deficient?
No. HSE states that only breathing apparatus is suitable for oxygen-deficient atmospheres. A filtering hood is unsuitable for that use.
What should I check when escape hoods arrive?
Check sealed packaging, model and batch identification, expiry markings and agreed remaining shelf life. Use designated samples to inspect opening, seals, filter attachment and visor clarity.