Sourcing latex condoms from China

Latex condom duty and classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 November 2026, latex condoms fall within sheath contraceptives under 4014 10 00 00 and carry 0% duty from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls.

Heading 4014 covers hygienic or pharmaceutical articles of vulcanised rubber other than hard rubber. The rows show product variants sharing the same commodity line. Other articles are covered in our hot-water bottles and rubber teats guide. Confirm the material and intended use through finding your commodity code.

Specify the latex, lubricant and device documents

Agree nominal width, length, thickness, shape, surface texture, colour, lubricant formulation and quantity, individual foil packaging and retail artwork. Specify the remaining shelf life you will accept at delivery and the storage conditions. Ask for model-specific test reports against BS EN ISO 4074 and batch release records.

For Great Britain, devices must be registered with the medicines and healthcare products regulator before being placed on the market. A manufacturer outside the UK must appoint a UK responsible person. Check the applicable CE or UKCA route and its supporting documents. If you are importing without acting as the UK responsible person, inform the manufacturer or that responsible person of your intention to import.

Northern Ireland has different medical-device rules. Confirm the destination before approving artwork or documents. Arrange testing and certification checks before accepting the production specification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative shipment of 20,000 latex condoms under 4014 10 00 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Contraceptive products sold other than on prescription take the reduced rate of VAT, which is 5%, under HMRC's VAT Notice 701/57, so import VAT is 5% of £5,000, £250. 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

Documents: match the manufacturer, model and batch to the conformity documents, test reports and registration record.

Foil seals: inspect sampled packs for open seams, punctures, lubricant leakage and illegible batch or expiry printing.

Product: compare dimensions, texture, lubrication and appearance with the approved specification; commission laboratory checks for holes and bursting performance.

Arrival: compare carton and foil batch details, inspect for crushing or heat damage, and check the agreed remaining shelf life and storage instructions.

What goes wrong

A factory may send reports for a different model, alter the lubricant or latex formulation, or use packaging artwork that does not match the approved product. Put change approval in the purchase specification and match production samples to the documents before shipment.

Damaged foil seals, lubricant leakage and short remaining shelf life can make an otherwise matching shipment unacceptable. Keep suspect batches separate while checking the batch records and arranging laboratory assessment. A conformity mark alone does not replace these checks.

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.