Sourcing manual can openers from China

UK duty on manual can openers

Heading 8210 covers hand-operated mechanical appliances weighing 10 kg or less, used in preparing, conditioning or serving food or drink. This guide concerns manual mechanical can openers within that scope. The table shows different opener designs under the same commodity line. For other appliances, see the manual kitchen gadgets guide.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, commodity code 8210 00 00 00 carries 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, no suspension and no attached import controls.

Confirm the mechanism, weight and complete product description before using this code. Send photographs and specifications to your customs broker and use finding your commodity code.

Specify the cutting wheel and can fit

Specify top-cutting or side-cutting action, the can shapes and rim profiles to be opened, cutting-wheel and drive-wheel materials, handle construction and cleaning method. Agree acceptable turning effort, wheel alignment and rivet movement against an approved sample. For table-mounted models, specify the clamp, mounting surface and removable parts.

Confirm with the relevant food safety authority the food-contact materials requirements for parts that touch food, including whether plastic parts need a declaration of compliance and supporting evidence against applicable migration limits. Match that evidence to the actual materials and intended use. Consumer can openers sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 2,000 manual can openers (illustrative order) under 8210 00 00 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £960 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,960. Duty at 2% is £79.20. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,039.20, so it is £807.84. Import taxes total £887.04; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £79.20 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Opening: test production samples on the agreed can types. Check continuous cutting, grip on the rim, turning effort and release of the lid. Inspect for metal fragments and snagging edges.

Mechanism: check wheel alignment, gear engagement, rivet security and handle movement. Repeat opening operations to the agreed specification and check for slipping or loosening.

Materials and cleaning: match cutting-wheel, coating and food-contact evidence to the approved specification. Clean and dry samples, inspect joints for trapped residue and corrosion, and test any dishwasher-safe claim.

Packing and instructions: check that the opener cannot puncture its pack, that grips and clamps are secure, and that opening and cleaning instructions match the supplied design. Agree batch identification and importer contact details on the pack.

What goes wrong

A sample may open a convenient test can but slip on the buyer's usual rim profile. Poor wheel alignment or loose rivets can make the handle turn without advancing the cut. Worn cutting wheels can tear the lid, while burrs or fragments can contaminate the contents.

Coatings can wear around the cutting assembly, joints can retain food, and grips can loosen after cleaning. Keep representative cans and the approved sample for comparison with incoming stock. Treat smooth-edge and dishwasher-safe claims as features to verify on production samples.

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.