Sourcing mechanical pedometers from China

Mechanical pedometer duty: 0%

Heading 9029 includes pedometers alongside counters, milometers and speed instruments. Mechanical pedometers fall within 9029 10 00 90; separately imported parts and accessories have line 9029 90 00 90. The complete-product rows show buying variants sharing a tariff line. See the counters and speedometers guide for the wider heading.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, both relevant lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. Import VAT is normally 20%; see import duty and VAT.

Confirm the commodity code using the mechanism, functions and whether the shipment contains complete pedometers or separate parts. Give your customs broker the product description and sample photographs rather than relying on the supplier's invoice wording.

Specify the mechanism and wearing position

Specify a mechanical step-counting mechanism, display format, reset method, casing material and clip design. Ask the factory to demonstrate the internal mechanism and confirm whether any electronic components are fitted. Agree where the device must be worn and which orientation produces the intended counting action.

Approve a sample against manually counted walking trials at different speeds. Agree the acceptable counting error, repeatability and reset behaviour in the purchase specification. Include clip retention, display readability and resistance to incidental movement while the wearer is seated.

Consumer pedometers fall under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 in Great Britain, whose aim is that only safe products are supplied. Include checks for sharp clip edges, loose components and casing damage, and request safety information for the exact model.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1,000 mechanical pedometers; FOB value and freight are illustrative under 9029 10 00 90, invoiced at £10,000 free on board, with £1,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £11,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £11,000, so it is £2,200. 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

Counting: compare sampled units with manually counted steps at slow and brisk walking speeds, using the agreed wearing position.

Reset: check that the display returns fully to its starting position and that the control does not stick or reset during ordinary handling.

Clip and casing: check retention on the intended clothing, sharp edges, cracks and loose internal components.

Instructions and packing: check that wearing and reset instructions match the mechanism, and inspect arrival samples for damage or shifted displays. Agree these checks through quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A sample can count well at a steady pace but miss steps during slow walking or count extra movements when loosely clipped. Weak clips change the mounting angle. A sticking reset control or worn mechanism can produce inconsistent readings. Repeat the walking and reset checks on production samples and arrival samples.

Keep the approved sample, photographs of the mechanism and the agreed test method. If the factory changes the spring, counter mechanism or clip, review a replacement sample before accepting the change. Avoid approving accuracy claims from a demonstration with no independently counted steps.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For components and parts, see sourcing for manufacturers.