Sourcing medical compression stockings from China

Duty on graduated compression stockings

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, heading 6115 covers knitted or crocheted hosiery, including graduated compression stockings. Synthetic-fibre graduated compression hosiery carries 8% duty from China under 6115 10 10 00; other graduated compression hosiery carries 12% under 6115 10 90 00.

The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls for these compression-hosiery codes. The table shows length variants sharing the same tariff lines. For other products within the heading, see the socks and hosiery guide.

Confirm the commodity code against the fibre specification and evidence that the product is graduated compression hosiery. Customs classification and medical-device registration are separate checks.

Specify pressure, fit and the medical-device route

Write down the intended use, ankle pressure, pressure profile along the leg, test method and acceptance tolerances. Specify ankle and calf circumference ranges, leg length, open or closed toe, heel construction and cuff design. Ask for test results covering the actual sizes and materials ordered, including performance after the agreed washing procedure.

Before placing a medical device on the Great Britain market, it must be registered with the medicines regulator. A manufacturer outside the UK must appoint a UK responsible person to register and act on its behalf. Agree who handles this before approving production.

For the UKCA route, conformity assessment must demonstrate compliance with the medical-device regulations. Ask for the declaration and supporting documents for the exact product. This guide's device discussion concerns Great Britain; obtain a separate destination-specific review for other markets.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative mixed-size order of synthetic-fibre medical graduated compression stockings under 6115 10 10 00, invoiced at £8,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,200. Duty at 8% is £736. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,936, so it is £1,987.20. Import taxes total £2,723.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £736 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Pressure: check production-sample results against the agreed ankle pressure and graduated profile. A tight feel alone does not verify the specification.

Fit: check the size chart against measured garments and the agreed leg forms. Examine heel position, toe seams and whether the cuff rolls during fitting.

Washing: compare compression, dimensions and elastic recovery before and after the agreed wash procedure. Check for broken yarns and damaged grip bands.

Packaging: match product identity, size, instructions and batch references to the approved artwork and device documents. Confirm applicable textile fibre labelling requirements with the relevant authority and check label durability, legibility, visibility and accessibility; include this in the inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A supplier's compression class name can conceal a different pressure range or test method. Compare measured results and methods rather than accepting the class name alone. Yarn substitutions, altered knitting tension and size changes can leave delivered stock different from the approved sample.

A rolled cuff, misplaced heel or bulky toe seam can undermine the agreed fit. Missing device documents can also delay the launch. Keep the sample approval, pressure reports, artwork and registration handoff tied to the same product identity before releasing the shipment.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.