Sourcing mannequins and dress forms from China
Tailors' dummies, dress forms, shop mannequins and animated window displays from China pay 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. They are bought on material, pose, size and finish, and most losses are cracked fibreglass, chipped paint, loose joints and transit damage. Cambridge China Bridge sources mannequins for retailers and shopfitters.
Shop mannequins, dress forms, torso forms and animated window displays from China pay 0% UK duty. Materials, finish, fittings, packing and a worked example.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, tailors' dummies and other lay figures, automata and other animated displays used for shop window dressing, heading 9618, carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Display stands, rails and shelving are classified by their material, and wigs for mannequins are covered in our wigs guide. For signs and point-of-sale displays, see our signage guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tailors' dummies, lay figures, animated window displays | 9618 00 00 00 | 0% | None |
Safety and materials
Mannequins sold to consumers, such as home dress forms, must be safe under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. For shop use, check stability of the base, sharp edges on metal fittings, and that PVC or painted parts come with a supplier statement on substances of very high concern under UK REACH.
Specifying mannequins
Specify material (fibreglass, polypropylene, polyethylene, foam-covered dress form), full body or torso, gender, size and measurements, pose, head style (realistic, abstract, headless), finish and colour code, detachable arms and hands, base type (glass, steel, calf or foot rod), and packing per piece.
Worked duty example
Take a hypothetical order of 300 fibreglass display mannequins, entered under 9618 00 00 00: £36,000 free on board plus £4,200 of freight and insurance gives a customs value of £40,200. Mannequins carry no duty, so import VAT of 20% on £40,200, £8,040, is the only tax. A VAT-registered importer normally reclaims it, so the border adds no lasting cost. Step by step: UK import duty and VAT.
Inspection checklist
Finish: compare colour and gloss with the approved sample, and check for cracks, pinholes, chips and mould lines, especially at joints and fingers.
Fit and assembly: assemble a sample of each pose and check arms and hands lock firmly, the base is stable, and body measurements match the specification within tolerance.
Packing: check each figure is wrapped, with parts separately protected, in cartons strong enough for stacking, and that fragile hands are packed so they cannot move.
What goes wrong
Mannequin orders fail on finish, fit and transit. Colour differs from the approved sample, fibreglass cracks at the neck or wrist, arm joints are loose, measurements differ from the size chart, and poorly packed figures arrive with broken fingers.
Approve a finished sample, check assembly on inspection, and test the packing with a drop test. See our quality inspection guide.
Cambridge China Bridge sources mannequins and dress forms for UK retailers and shopfitters, and has no minimum order of its own; the factory's minimum per pose applies. See small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on mannequins from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, tailors' dummies and other lay figures (9618 00 00 00) carried 0% from China.
Are dress forms the same code?
Yes. Dress forms and tailors' dummies are under heading 9618.
What material should mannequins be?
Fibreglass for finish and detail, polypropylene or polyethylene for durability, and foam-covered forms for dressmaking.
What goes wrong most often?
Cracks, colour mismatch, loose joints and transit damage to hands and fingers.