Sourcing mastectomy bras from China
Mastectomy bras and bra-and-brief retail sets from China carry 6% UK duty across the relevant lines. Fibre composition labelling applies; assess medical-device status from the intended purpose and any intended use with a medical device. Specify prosthesis pockets, seam finish and fit before production. Cambridge China Bridge sources mastectomy bras.
6% duty on mastectomy bras
Heading 6212 covers brassières and other corsetry, whether knitted or crocheted. This guide focuses on mastectomy bras with pockets for removable breast forms. The table shows product variants sharing the same tariff line, plus bras packaged with briefs as retail sets. For pumping styles, see our hands-free pumping bra sourcing guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the relevant bra lines carry 6% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines.
Confirm the commodity code against the actual garment and retail packaging. Separately supplied breast forms are outside this guide. For the wider heading and compression styles, see post-surgical compression bras. For nursing styles, see our nursing bra sourcing guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft-cup pocketed mastectomy bras | 6212 10 90 00 | 6% | None |
| Mastectomy bra and briefs packaged as a retail set | 6212 10 10 00 | 6% | None |
Specify prosthesis pockets and intended use
Agree pocket placement, opening direction, usable depth and the breast forms used for sample fitting. Specify cup shape, band and cup grading, neckline coverage, strap width, fastening position, seam finish and whether the design uses wires. Approve samples with the intended breast forms inserted, including asymmetric fitting, rather than checking the empty bra alone.
For Great Britain, assess the manufacturer's stated intended purpose and mode of action before agreeing medical claims. Also assess whether the bra is intended as an accessory enabling a medical device's intended use. This is a product-specific assessment, not a classification established by the name alone.
If it is a medical device, registration with the medicines and healthcare products regulator is required before placement on the Great Britain market. A manufacturer outside the UK must appoint a UK responsible person, and applicable conformity assessment and marking requirements must be met. Resolve the route through testing and certification before production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 500 soft-cup pocketed mastectomy bras, illustrative order under 6212 10 90 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,800. Duty at 6% is £408. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,208, so it is £1,441.60. Import taxes total £1,849.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £408 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Pockets: check opening access, usable depth and stitching against the approved sample. Insert the agreed breast forms and check retention during movement, cup distortion and whether pocket seams leave exposed rough edges.
Fit and fastenings: measure band length, cup depth, strap adjustment and closure position across the ordered sizes. Pull-test strap joints and fastenings, and check that front closures have no sharp edges.
Fabric and washing: check lining softness, seam bulk, colour transfer, shrinkage and elastic recovery after the agreed wash trial. Check pocket shape and breast-form retention again after washing.
Labels and components: confirm the permitted bra fibre-labelling format with the relevant authority, then verify the fibre label against the actual materials. Obtain nickel-release results for skin-contact metal components. Use quality inspection to compare production pieces with approved samples.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A pocket can fit the sample breast form but become too tight after washing, or have an opening that allows it to slip out during movement. Cup grading can distort the pocket across sizes. Rough seam allowances, rigid closure tape and strap joins can spoil an otherwise acceptable sample.
An importer is responsible for consumer product safety and legal labelling. Treat changed fabrics, pocket patterns, fastenings or medical claims as reasons to review the approved specification and relevant evidence before accepting a repeat order.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on mastectomy bras from China?
The relevant bra lines carry 6% duty. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls.
Are mastectomy bras automatically medical devices?
Assess the stated intended purpose and mode of action, including any intended accessory role with a medical device. Do not decide from the product name alone.
How should I specify the breast-form pockets?
Agree placement, opening direction, usable depth and compatible breast forms. Fit-test approved samples with those forms inserted, then repeat the checks after washing.
What fibre label does a mastectomy bra need?
Confirm with the relevant authority whether the bra's fibre composition may be stated for the whole product or for the outside and inside fabrics of the cups and back, together or separately. Check the confirmed format against fabric results.