Sourcing hip replacement implants from China
Hip replacement implants from China carry 0% UK duty under the artificial-joints line. Before sale in Great Britain, check medical-device conformity, the Chinese manufacturer's UK Responsible Person and device registration. Match every supplied component to the documented implant system. Cambridge China Bridge sources hip replacement implants.
Zero duty on hip replacement implants
Heading 9021 covers orthopaedic appliances, artificial body parts and devices that compensate for defects or disability. Hip replacement implants fall within the artificial-joints line, 9021 31 00 00. The table shows product variants within that same line, rather than separate tariff classifications.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the artificial-joints line carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for this line. Medical-device market requirements remain separate from customs duty.
Confirm the commodity code against the actual supplied goods, especially where implants and surgical instruments are ordered together. For related products and the wider heading, see orthopaedic bone fixation plates.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cemented total hip replacement implants | 9021 31 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the implant system and component combinations
Specify primary or revision use, fixation method, stem geometry, offset, head material and diameter, neck taper, acetabular shell and liner combination. Give the factory an approved component list and size assortment. Ask for the manufacturer's documented compatibility information, including the instruments intended for the system.
Request material certificates and reports covering mechanical performance, wear, biological safety, coating adhesion where applicable, sterilisation and packaging validation for the supplied range. Manufacturers must hold clinical data supporting their device claims. Have a medical-device specialist review the evidence before approving an order.
For sale in Great Britain, manufacturers must meet applicable medical-device marking and conformity assessment requirements. Devices must be registered with the UK medicines and medical devices regulator before market placement. Confirm with that regulator the Chinese manufacturer's UK Responsible Person appointment requirements. Notify the manufacturer or responsible person of your intended import and confirm with the regulator how importer details should be submitted.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small-business batch of cemented total hip replacement implants in assorted sizes under 9021 31 00 00, invoiced at £10,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,900, so it is £2,180. 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
System identity: match stem, head, shell and liner references to the approved component list and manufacturer compatibility documents.
Dimensions and surfaces: use agreed samples for dimensional checks; inspect tapers, bearing surfaces and coatings for scratches, contamination, chips or damage.
Sterile packs: inspect seals, punctures, moisture and crushed packaging without opening saleable sterile units; compare expiry and storage information with the approved documents.
Traceability and documents: reconcile batch references, size assortments, labels and instructions with conformity and registration records. Arrange quality inspection against the approved specification.
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What goes wrong
Matching catalogue descriptions can conceal incompatible tapers or liner connections. Substituted materials, damaged bearing surfaces and coating defects can escape a simple carton count. Require written approval before component or material changes, and hold mismatched or damaged goods for specialist review.
A certificate for a different implant range does not establish conformity for the shipment. Confirm with the UK medicines and medical devices regulator what registration establishes before relying on it as evidence of regulatory approval. Check the exact manufacturer, product references and supporting documents before dispatch; an arrival inspection cannot establish clinical performance or validate sterilisation.
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 hip implants from China?
The artificial-joints line, 9021 31 00 00, carries 0% duty in the supplied tariff record, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control.
What documents should I check before importing hip implants?
Check conformity documents for the exact implant system, clinical evidence, the Chinese manufacturer's UK Responsible Person and device registration. Notify the manufacturer or responsible person of your intended import.
Can I mix hip implant components from different suppliers?
Do not approve a combination on dimensions or catalogue names alone. Obtain manufacturer compatibility evidence for the exact stem, head, shell and liner combination, then have a specialist review it.
How should I inspect sterile hip implants on arrival?
Match product and batch references, count the size assortment and inspect unopened sterile packs for broken seals, punctures, moisture and crushing. Hold discrepancies for specialist review.