Sourcing interdental brushes from China
Interdental brushes from China have a flat 2% UK duty under the toothbrush line, subject to confirming classification. Consumer brushes sold in Great Britain must be safe under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Check wire ends, filament retention and size consistency. Cambridge China Bridge sources interdental brushes.
Interdental brush duty and classification
Heading 9603 covers brushes and other cleaning implements. For conventional filament interdental brushes, the relevant line to check is 9603 21 00 00, toothbrushes including dental-plate brushes. The table shows product variants within that line, rather than separate tariff classifications.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, the toothbrush line carried 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, suspension or attached import control for this line. Other brush lines have different controls, so this finding should not be extended to every product in the heading.
Confirm the commodity code using photographs, materials and the cleaning function, especially for moulded picks or mixed oral-care packs. See the toothpaste and oral-care guide for the wider oral-care range.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight interdental brushes | 9603 21 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify brush fit, wire and filament retention
Specify the brush profile, working diameter, filament length and stiffness, wire material and coating, handle shape, grip and protective cap. Agree measured dimensions for each size rather than relying on the supplier's colour names. Keep approved samples and define acceptable variation in the purchase specification.
Consumer brushes sold in Great Britain must be safe under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. For interdental brushes, assess exposed wire ends, loose filaments, handle breakage and materials in contact with the mouth. Agree product-specific testing through testing and certification, with reports identifying the supplied design and materials.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial order of assorted retail packs of interdental brushes under 9603 21 00 00, invoiced at £1,200 free on board, with £590 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £1,790. Duty at 2% is £35.80. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £1,825.80, so it is £365.16. Import taxes total £400.96; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £35.80 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Size and profile: compare sampled brushes with approved dimensions and samples; check that pack colours match the stated sizes.
Wire and filaments: inspect wire tips, coating coverage and filament retention; check for sharp ends, shedding and damage after agreed bending tests.
Handle and cap: check grip finish, brush fixing and cap fit; look for cracking, loose brush heads and caps that crush the filaments.
Packing and arrival: check cleanliness, sealed packs, batch identification, instructions and barcodes; inspect cartons for moisture and crushing. Use the quality inspection guide to plan sampling.
What goes wrong
Common failures include brush diameters drifting from the approved sample, colour coding changing between batches, wire coating leaving exposed tips, and filaments loosening during use. A cap can also bend the wire or flatten the brush if its internal clearance is unsuitable.
Keep an approved sample for every ordered size and compare production samples before shipment. Specify how the factory records material changes and deals with failed checks. On arrival, hold affected stock apart while investigating damaged packs, loose filaments or sharp wire ends.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on interdental brushes from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 2% for the toothbrush line, 9603 21 00 00, with no trade remedy or suspension. Confirm that your interdental brush belongs in this line.
How do I specify interdental brush sizes?
Agree measured brush dimensions, profile and acceptable variation for each size. Keep approved samples and match packaging colours to those specifications.
What safety rule applies when selling interdental brushes?
Consumer brushes sold in Great Britain must be safe under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Assess wire ends, filament retention, breakage and mouth-contact materials.
What should I check when the brushes arrive?
Check dimensions against approved samples, exposed wire, loose filaments, handle and cap fit, pack cleanliness, batch identification and transport damage.