Sourcing manual toothbrushes from China
Manual toothbrushes from China carry 2% UK duty across the variants covered here, with no listed trade remedy. Consumer toothbrushes must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use in Great Britain. Specify filament stiffness, rounded tips and tuft retention before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources manual toothbrushes.
Manual toothbrush duty: 2%
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, manual toothbrushes, including dental-plate brushes, fall within heading 9603 under 9603 21 00 00. The supplied tariff record lists 2% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, suspension or attached import control on this line.
The table shows product variants sharing the same tariff line. For the other products within the heading, see our brushes, brooms and paint rollers guide. Confirm the commodity code against the actual product before declaring it.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult manual toothbrushes | 9603 21 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the brush head and filaments
Agree the intended user, head shape, filament material, stiffness, length, taper and end-rounding. Specify the tuft layout, handle material, grip, surface finish and individual packaging. Keep an approved sample so production and arrival checks compare the same features.
Consumer toothbrushes sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. The site's published brush guide identifies ISO 20126 for manual toothbrush tuft retention and handle strength testing. Agree laboratory checks on the finished design, including children's versions, and use testing and certification support where needed.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative assorted manual toothbrush order; FOB and freight values are hypothetical under 9603 21 00 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £590 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,090. Duty at 2% is £61.80. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,151.80, so it is £630.36. Import taxes total £692.16; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £61.80 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Filaments: compare stiffness, length and end-rounding with the approved sample; inspect for uneven trimming and exposed sharp tips.
Tuft retention: check for loose filaments and missing tufts; review the agreed tuft retention and handle strength test results.
Handle: check for sharp moulding edges, cracks, rough joints and insecure grip inserts; compare the shape and finish with the sample.
Packing: check brushes are clean, dry and protected, packs are intact, and the correct design, print and barcode match the order. Use the quality inspection guide to plan checks before shipment and on arrival.
What goes wrong
A brush can look like the sample while using stiffer filaments or poorly rounded tips. Loose tufts, rough handle edges and cracked joints can make the finished product unsuitable for its intended user. Packaging can also conceal dirt or bent filaments.
Record the approved materials and finish in the purchase specification. Compare production samples with the retained sample, check test results against the supplied design, and investigate failed retention or strength checks before shipment.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on manual toothbrushes from China?
The supplied tariff record lists 2% for 9603 21 00 00, including dental-plate brushes, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure.
What testing should I request for manual toothbrushes?
The site's published brush guide identifies ISO 20126 for tuft retention and handle strength. Agree testing for the finished design and check that reports match the product supplied.
Are electric toothbrushes classified with manual toothbrushes?
The site's published brush guide places electric toothbrushes under heading 8509 and replacement toothbrush heads in 9603. Confirm classification for the actual goods.
What should I check on children's toothbrushes?
Check the agreed head and handle shape, filament stiffness, rounded tips, tuft retention and handle strength. Compare production samples with the approved children's design.