Sourcing flame-resistant zips from China

UK duty on flame-resistant zips

Heading 9607 covers slide fasteners and their parts. For flame-resistant zips, distinguish metal teeth from other chain constructions, and complete zips from separate sliders, stops and other parts. The table identifies tariff categories; it does not establish flame performance.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, all listed lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls.

Give your customs broker the tooth material, construction and whether the shipment contains complete zips or parts to confirm the commodity code. For wider zip construction choices, see water-resistant coil zips.

Specify the complete flame-resistant closure

Specify tape fibre composition, whether flame resistance comes from the fibre or a treatment, tooth and slider materials, usable length, tape width, opening arrangement and locking action. Describe the intended heat or flame exposure, washing process and garment construction. Agree laboratory acceptance criteria for the assembled closure, including tape, stitching, teeth, slider and any protective flap.

For components imported into Great Britain for further manufacture, official PPE guidance assigns responsibility for compliance to the finished product's GB manufacturer before market placement. PPE within scope must undergo conformity assessment according to its risk category. Agree the garment assessment plan through testing and certification. For metal zip parts in direct and prolonged skin contact, confirm the applicable REACH nickel-release restrictions with the HSE.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 2,500 metal-tooth flame-resistant zips, illustrative order under 9607 11 00 00, invoiced at £27,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £28,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £28,500, so it is £5,700. 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

Materials: match tape composition, treatment, teeth, slider and sewing thread to the approved specification and test report.

Operation: fit samples into the intended garment; check engagement, locking, opening with gloves and resistance to separation under the agreed load.

Conditioning: compare closure operation, tape shrinkage and flame-test results after the agreed washing and heat exposure.

Arrival and records: check for damaged teeth, loose stops, corrosion and tape distortion; match batch identification to material records and reports. Use the quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A report for the tape alone can leave the slider, sewing thread and assembled closure untested. A changed tape treatment, finish or thread can make production differ from the tested sample. Washing can reduce treatment performance, while tape shrinkage can distort the chain and make the slider jam.

Keep an approved assembled sample and require agreement before material substitutions. Compare incoming batches against that sample and investigate mismatched reports or failed closure checks before using the zips in garments.

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.