Sourcing hair side combs from China

Hair side combs: 2% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, hair side combs within heading 9615 carried 2% duty from China. Hard rubber or plastic combs fall under 9615 11 00 00; combs of other materials fall under 9615 19 00 00. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions for these lines.

Both codes carry cat and dog fur import and export controls. Imports and exports of these furs and products made from them are banned. The other-materials code also carries CITES import and export controls. Protected-species materials may require permits; confirm the species and permit requirements with APHA before shipment from China.

The table shows material variants under the same tariff lines. For decorated or mixed-material combs, confirm the commodity code from the finished product and its composition. See the combs and hair accessories guide for the wider heading.

Specify teeth, curve and decoration fixing

Specify the base material, overall width, tooth length, spacing, tip shape and curve against an approved sample. State the intended hair type and whether the comb must hold a hairstyle, secure a veil or support a decoration. Agree a practical insertion and retention check using representative hair.

For metal combs, specify the metal and plating; for moulded combs, specify the plastic and acceptable flexibility. Define how beads, stones and decorative pieces attach. Confirm applicable general product safety requirements for consumer hair accessories with the relevant authority. For children's versions, avoid detachable small parts and sharp edges. Request UK REACH screening for restricted substances in plastics and coatings.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 2,500 plastic hair side combs, illustrative order only under 9615 11 00 00, invoiced at £7,500 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £8,400. Duty at 2% is £168. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £8,568, so it is £1,713.60. Import taxes total £1,881.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £168 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Teeth and edges: check each sampled comb for moulding flash, burrs, split tips and rough roots between teeth. Insert and remove it through representative hair to check snagging.

Shape and hold: compare the curve, tooth spacing and dimensions with the approved sample. Check grip in the intended hairstyle and inspect for cracking or permanently bent teeth after the agreed flex check.

Decorations and finish: pull-check glued or wired decorations using the agreed method. Inspect exposed wire ends, loose stones, plating defects and colour transfer onto light hair.

Packing and arrival: check counts, paired designs where ordered, the UK address and relevant warnings on retail packs. Look for broken teeth, crushed decorations and rubbing damage. Agree these checks in the inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A comb can match the sample's colour but fail in use because its curve or tooth spacing has changed. Thin teeth can snap, rough moulding seams snag hair, and unfinished metal ends scratch the scalp. Loose stones and exposed decoration wires create further problems.

Keep an approved sample showing the underside and tooth tips as well as the decorated face. Compare production samples against it before shipment, then repeat the snagging, grip and decoration checks on arrival. Record defects by design and material so replacements address the cause.

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.