Sourcing medical instrument trolleys from China

Duty and classification for instrument trolleys

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 9402 covers medical, surgical, dental and veterinary furniture and its parts, alongside specified chairs. Medical instrument trolleys classified as other medical furniture use 9402 90 00 00 and carry 0% duty from China. No anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension is recorded. The table shows configurations sharing that commodity line.

The tariff attaches torture-goods and cat-and-dog-fur import controls. Imports of prohibited torture goods, and cat or dog fur products, are banned. For a China shipment, ask your customs broker to confirm whether the trolley falls within the controlled descriptions and which declaration evidence is needed. The record also lists cultural-goods export licensing and export restrictions for torture goods and cat or dog fur; ask about these before any onward export.

Confirm the commodity code using the trolley's design, intended use and supplied configuration. Avoid assuming that every wheeled storage unit is medical furniture. For another product within the wider heading, see veterinary examination tables. Import VAT is separate from duty; see UK import duty and VAT.

Specify cleanability, movement and intended use

State whether the trolley carries instrument trays, stores supplies or supports equipment during procedures. Agree overall dimensions, usable shelf space, shelf load, tray retention, drawer travel, handle position and castor layout. Specify the metal grade and finish in the purchase specification, with smooth accessible joints and removable trays where required. Give the factory the actual cleaning products and cleaning method for sample trials.

For Great Britain, medical-device status depends on the manufacturer's stated intended purpose and mode of action. Ask for a written determination rather than relying on the word 'medical' in the catalogue. Where the trolley is a medical device, confirm the applicable marking requirements with the medicines regulator and register it with that regulator before sale. Use testing and certification support to review the model-specific evidence.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 200 medical instrument trolleys; illustrative FOB and freight values under 9402 90 00 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £5,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £35,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £35,000, so it is £7,000. 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

Surfaces: check welds, shelf undersides and tray corners for sharp edges, rough joints and dirt traps. Trial the agreed cleaning method on a sample and inspect for staining or surface damage.

Movement: roll the loaded trolley over representative floors and thresholds. Check castor swivel, straight tracking, brake holding and access to the brake pedals.

Strength: load shelves to the agreed rating and check deflection, frame movement and tipping tendency. Cycle drawers and height adjustment, where fitted, and check that trays stay retained.

Arrival: compare the delivered model, materials, fittings and documents with the approved sample. Inspect for bent frames, loose castor fixings and transit damage before use. Apply the same checks during quality inspection before dispatch.

What goes wrong

A trolley can look acceptable while empty but track poorly or rock under load. Rough welds complicate cleaning, tray edges can catch gloves, and poorly positioned brakes are awkward to operate. Drawers may bind after transit if the frame has twisted. Record sample acceptance criteria for these points and repeat the checks on production goods.

A generic certificate may describe a different model or a different intended use. Match the manufacturer's product description, labels and instructions to the trolley being bought. Settle medical-device status before approving packaging or making medical claims, and agree replacement castors, brake assemblies and drawer fittings with the supplier.

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.