Sourcing inflatable mannequins from China

0% duty on clothing display mannequins

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 9618 covers tailors' dummies and other lay figures, automata and other animated displays used for shop window dressing. Inflatable figures used to display clothing are the focus here. The table shows product variants sharing the supplied commodity line. See the wider mannequins and dress forms guide.

The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty for goods from China, no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions. It attaches import and export controls on cat and dog fur. Imports and exports of that fur, including products made from it, are banned. For China orders, ask for a material list covering the body, coverings and accessories, and confirm the tariff declaration requirements with your customs broker.

Confirm the commodity code using the intended clothing-display use, photographs and construction details. A decorative inflatable figure can fall outside this heading. Describe the actual use on the invoice. Duty and import VAT are separate; see UK import duty and VAT.

Specify the inflated shape and valve

Specify full body or torso, pose, head style, film material and thickness, surface finish, seam construction and valve position. Agree the inflation method, working inflation condition and inflated body measurements. Check a dressed sample with your actual garments: shoulders, chest and hips should support the intended fit without distorting the figure.

Agree an air-retention test duration and acceptance criteria with the factory, plus repeated inflation, deflation and folding checks. Specify the support or hanging arrangement, accessories and packing method. Keep valves away from garment contact points where possible. For consumer mannequins sold in Great Britain, confirm the applicable requirements under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 with the relevant authority; assess stability and exposed fittings as part of the sample review.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 300 inflatable clothing display mannequins under 9618 00 00 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £590 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,090. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,090, so it is £618. 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

Air retention: inflate samples using the agreed method, close the valves and check for loss of shape over the agreed test period, including leakage around seams and valve welds.

Shape and garment fit: compare inflated measurements and pose with the approved sample, dress the figure and check for sagging shoulders, twisting and unstable supports.

Film and seams: check for pinholes, weak welds, rough edges, inconsistent thickness and surface marks; repeat inflation and deflation to expose valve or seam failures.

Packing and arrival: check that folded bodies are protected from sharp fittings, valves are not crushed and accessories are complete. On arrival, inflate samples before releasing stock. See the quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

A figure can look correct immediately after inflation but sag once dressed. Leaking valve closures, weak seam welds and distorted body proportions can make clothing hang badly. Compare samples under the same agreed inflation conditions so that extra air does not disguise a poor shape.

Tight folding and loose support fittings can puncture the film during transport. Approve the packed sample as well as the inflated figure, and repeat the inflation check after unpacking. Record defects by carton and product variant before agreeing repairs or replacement with the supplier.

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.