Sourcing kitchen scissors from China

0% duty on kitchen scissors

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, kitchen scissors fall within heading 8213, which covers scissors, tailors' shears and similar shears, and their blades. The supplied tariff facts contain only the commodity line shown here.

Goods from China carry 0% duty. The supplied tariff facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for this line. This tariff position does not replace product safety checks.

Confirm the commodity code against the actual goods, particularly when scissors form part of a mixed kitchenware set. For related products within the wider heading, see the poultry shears guide.

Blades, pivots and food-contact materials

Specify blade steel and hardness, cutting length, handle openings, serrations and pivot construction. State whether blades separate for cleaning, how they reconnect and whether the design is intended for left-handed use. Agree the foods and packaging the scissors should cut, rather than accepting a general claim that they cut everything.

Food-contact materials must be safe for their intended application. Ask for the material composition and supporting suitability evidence for the blades, coatings and any other parts that contact food. Businesses importing or selling consumer products are responsible for their safety. Agree cleaning instructions and test any dishwasher-safe claim on the finished scissors.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1,200 pairs of kitchen scissors; values are illustrative, not a quote under 8213 00 00 00, invoiced at £1,500 free on board, with £630 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,130. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,130, so it is £426. 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

Cutting: check blade alignment and clean cutting along the usable edge with agreed test materials. Look for folded material, snagging, burrs and chipped tips.

Pivot and handles: check smooth movement, sideways play and handle attachment. Separate and reconnect removable blades, checking that they stay together during ordinary cutting.

Cleaning and corrosion: wash samples using the agreed instructions, dry them and inspect the pivot, edges and handle joints for rust, trapped residue or movement.

Packing: check blade protection, care instructions and product identity against the approved sample. Inspect arrival cartons for moisture and scissors for damaged handles or exposed tips.

What goes wrong

Loose pivots let the blades spread and fold food instead of cutting it. Poor grinding leaves sections that snag, while thin handle joints crack under twisting. Removable blades can detach during use if the connection is poorly designed.

Rust often first appears around the pivot or ground edge. Handle gaps trap food, and washing can loosen grips or damage coatings. Keep an approved sample and agree functional, cleaning and corrosion checks before production. Use the quality inspection guide to turn these checks into an inspection brief.

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.