Sourcing fishing landing nets from China

Landing net duty and tariff controls

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 20 October 2026, fishing landing nets fall within heading 9507, under 9507 90 00 00. The heading also covers rods, hooks, reels and other tackle. The table shows landing net designs sharing the same commodity line. See the wider fishing tackle guide.

The recorded duty for goods from China is 2%, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions recorded. The tariff attaches import and export controls on cat and dog fur. Imports and exports of that fur and products made from it are banned. Specify synthetic mesh and identify all materials. It also lists a cultural objects export licence control; confirm its relevance with your customs broker if exporting.

Confirm the commodity code using the complete net's description, materials and photographs. Describe separately supplied replacement net bags or handles separately rather than assuming the complete-net code applies.

Specify the mesh, frame and handle

State the intended fish and fishing environment, net opening, bag depth, mesh aperture, mesh material and coating. Specify handle material, extended and packed lengths, grip, head attachment and folding or telescopic lock. Agree a load test and acceptance criteria using the assembled net with a wet bag.

Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe under the general product safety rules. Assess sharp frame edges, finger traps at hinges and accidental handle collapse. Keep the approved sample and record the agreed checks through quality inspection.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 2,000 folding fishing landing nets, illustrative order under 9507 90 00 00, invoiced at £14,000 free on board, with £1,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £15,000. Duty at 2% is £300. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £15,300, so it is £3,060. Import taxes total £3,360; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £300 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Mesh: compare aperture, depth and material with the approved sample; check seams, loose strands, tears and gaps in the coating.

Frame: check opening dimensions, distortion, welds and sharp edges; test the head attachment under the agreed load.

Handle and locks: extend, retract and fold samples repeatedly; check slippage under load, hinge security and grip movement when wet.

Arrival: unpack samples from different cartons; check bent hoops, crushed handles, trapped mesh and whether each net assembles and locks correctly.

What goes wrong

A net can look correct when empty yet twist at the head joint or slide shut under load. Mesh substitutions can change stiffness and hook snagging, while thin coating can split around seams. Compare production samples with the approved net and test the assembled product rather than accepting separate component checks.

Poor packing can bend hoops or press hinges into neighbouring handles. Agree protection around the head joint and prevent metal parts rubbing against the mesh. Check any floating or corrosion-resistance claim against an agreed test before using it in sales material.

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.