Sourcing kaolin haemostatic gauze from China
Kaolin-impregnated haemostatic gauze under heading 3005 carries 0% UK duty from China. Before sale in Great Britain, confirm device classification, conformity assessment, a UK responsible person for the Chinese manufacturer and MHRA registration. Sterile products need validated sterilisation. Cambridge China Bridge sources kaolin-impregnated haemostatic gauze.
Duty and classification for coated gauze
Heading 3005 covers gauze, dressings and similar articles impregnated or coated with pharmaceutical substances, or presented in forms or retail packs for medical purposes. For kaolin-impregnated textile gauze, start the classification check with 3005 90 31 00. The table shows different gauze formats within that same commodity line.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, every supplied line under heading 3005 carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff facts record no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. Medical-device requirements still need to be addressed before sale.
Give your customs broker the substrate, complete coating composition, intended use and packaging details to confirm the commodity code. An adhesive layer or a different substrate can change the classification. See medical gauze and swabs for the wider product family.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaolin-impregnated haemostatic gauze, folded strips | 3005 90 31 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the kaolin coating and finished gauze
Specify the gauze material, weave, dimensions, folded or rolled format, kaolin grade and coating loading. Agree how coating uniformity, loose powder and fibre shedding will be measured. Ask for haemostatic performance evidence for the finished coated gauze, rather than an absorbency report for the uncoated substrate. Match the evidence to the proposed wound use and instructions.
Before ordering, check the device classification, conformity assessment and declaration of conformity, and confirm with MHRA any UK responsible person and registration requirements for the Chinese manufacturer. Ask MHRA for advice if the risk class is uncertain. For sterile products, confirm the applicable sterilisation validation requirements with MHRA; obtain biocompatibility evidence covering the coated product and agree pouch construction, storage conditions, shelf life and batch identification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2,000 individually packed sterile kaolin-impregnated gauze packs under 3005 90 31 00, invoiced at £40,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £42,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £42,000, so it is £8,400. 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
Coating: compare received samples with the approved specification for coating loading and distribution; check for bare areas, powder collecting inside the pouch and shedding during unfolding.
Gauze: measure dimensions and check weave, cut edges, fraying and ease of unfolding. Match the supplied format and performance reports to the exact coated product ordered.
Sterile barrier: check pouches for punctures, open seals and powder trapped in seal areas. Match sterilisation batch records to the shipment; visual inspection alone cannot establish sterility.
Documents and labels: match product identity, manufacturer, lot and expiry across packs and records. Check the declaration of conformity, relevant certificates, MHRA registration and applicable marking. Arrange quality inspection against the agreed specification.
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What goes wrong
Watch for ordinary gauze reports presented as evidence for kaolin-coated gauze, coating that sheds during handling, and product changes after sample approval. A report for another coating formulation or gauze format leaves the ordered product's performance unresolved. Require written approval before changing the substrate, coating process or sterilisation method.
Weak pouch seals, damaged sterile barriers and batch documents that do not match the goods can leave stock unsuitable for release. Hold affected lots for investigation. Keep arrival checks separate from the manufacturer's evidence for haemostatic performance, biocompatibility, sterilisation and shelf life.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on kaolin haemostatic gauze from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 0% duty under 3005 90 31 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the code against the complete coated product and its packaging.
What do I need before selling it in Great Britain?
Confirm the device class and conformity assessment, and ask MHRA about UK responsible person and registration requirements for the Chinese manufacturer. For sterile products, confirm the applicable sterilisation validation requirements with MHRA.
Can I use an ordinary gauze test report?
Ask for evidence covering the finished kaolin-coated product, its intended wound use and the supplied format. An uncoated gauze absorbency report does not establish haemostatic performance.
How do I check sterile gauze when it arrives?
Check pouch integrity, seals, lot and expiry, then match sterilisation records to the delivered batches. Visual checks cannot establish sterility; investigate damaged packs before releasing stock.