Sourcing luggage combination locks from China

Duty and classification for luggage locks

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 8301 covers base-metal locks, including combination locks, and their parts. This guide concerns mechanical luggage combination locks supplied separately. The table repeats the padlock code for rigid-shackle and cable designs; these are product variants within the same tariff line.

The relevant padlock, other-lock and ordinary-parts lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for these lines. The separate locked-clasp line, 8301 50 00 00, has tariff controls concerning goods for torture and repression. If your shipment includes locked clasps, ask your customs broker to confirm whether those controls apply.

Send photographs, material details and an explanation of the mechanism to your customs broker to confirm the commodity code. A complete suitcase needs its own classification assessment. See the wider locks guide for the rest of the heading.

Specify the reset mechanism and zip fit

State whether the lock uses a rigid shackle or flexible cable. Specify body material, shackle or cable construction, opening clearance, dial layout, finish and the reset method. Provide the intended zip pulls or drawings so the factory can demonstrate fit. For a fitted lock module, approve its mounting arrangement and release action in the intended luggage.

Approve instructions that show how to open, set, scramble and reset the combination. Agree repeat-operation and corrosion checks against the intended use, and request reports matching the supplied model. Consumer products must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Include checks for sharp edges, finger pinching and exposed cable strands.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 2,000 luggage combination padlocks; illustrative quantity, FOB value and freight under 8301 10 00 00, invoiced at £7,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,600, so it is £1,520. 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

Fit: measure opening clearance and body dimensions against the approved drawing; pass the shackle or cable through the intended zip pulls and close it.

Combination: follow the supplied instructions to set and change the code; scramble the dials, check that the wrong setting stays locked, then reopen with the chosen setting.

Construction: check dial alignment, latch engagement, shackle seating, cable end fittings, burrs and finish damage against the approved sample.

Packing: check model and batch identification, agreed business contact details and reset instructions; ensure packaging cannot hold the reset control down. Arrange a shipment inspection.

What goes wrong

A lock can close correctly on its own but fail to pass through the buyer's zip pulls. A bulky body can also prevent the pulls from meeting. Loose dials, an unclear index mark or inconsistent latch engagement can make the intended combination difficult to use.

A reset control that moves unintentionally can leave the customer with an unknown code. Test the complete setting sequence using the retail instructions and compare production pieces with the approved sample. For cable designs, check whether strands become exposed or end fittings loosen during the agreed handling 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.