Sourcing medical and barber chairs from China
Dentists', barbers' and similar chairs, hospital beds with mechanical fittings, operating tables and examination couches from China pay 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. Furniture used as a medical device needs UKCA or CE marking and MHRA registration, and electric models need electrical safety evidence. Cambridge China Bridge sources them.
Dental chairs, barber and salon chairs, hospital beds, operating tables and examination couches pay 0% UK duty from China. Device rules explained.
Zero duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, dentists', barbers' or similar chairs and their parts, and other medical, surgical, dental or veterinary furniture such as operating tables, examination tables and hospital beds with mechanical fittings, carried 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Ordinary office or salon waiting chairs are in heading 9401; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dentists', barbers' or similar chairs and parts | 9402 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other medical, surgical, dental or veterinary furniture | 9402 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Medical device rules
Hospital beds, examination couches, dental chairs and operating tables intended for medical use are medical devices under the Medical Devices Regulations 2002. They need UKCA or CE marking under the device rules and registration with the MHRA before being placed on the Great Britain market; see medical products.
Barber and salon chairs are not medical devices, but hydraulic pumps and reclining mechanisms must be safe under general product safety law.
Electric models
Electric beds, chairs and tables fall within the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 where mains powered, and medical electrical equipment is tested to the BS EN 60601 series. Ask for the test report, and check the weight rating and entrapment gaps on beds.
Electrical models bring WEEE obligations.
Upholstery and inspection
Specify upholstery that withstands disinfectants, the hydraulic or motor lifting range, and a spare parts list. At inspection, run every function, check welds and stitching, and weigh-test samples.
Cambridge China Bridge sources dental chairs, hospital beds, couches and barber chairs, with device registration and safety evidence settled before the order. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on dental chairs from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, dentists', barbers' and similar chairs and other heading 9402 medical furniture carried 0% duty from China.
Are hospital beds medical devices?
Yes when intended for medical use. They need UKCA or CE marking under the device rules and MHRA registration.
Are barber chairs medical devices?
No, but their hydraulic and reclining mechanisms must be safe under general product safety law.
Which standard covers electric medical beds?
Medical electrical equipment is tested to the BS EN 60601 series.