Sourcing metal cabinet catches from China
Metal cabinet catches from China carry 0% UK duty under the furniture fittings line, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Catches intended for consumer use in Great Britain must be safe. Specify the catch and matching striker together. Cambridge China Bridge sources metal cabinet catches.
Duty on metal cabinet catches
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 8302 covers base-metal mountings and fittings, including furniture fittings. For ordinary metal cabinet catches suitable for furniture, the relevant line to check is 8302 42 00 90. The table shows different catch designs sharing that line.
The supplied tariff record gives 0% duty for goods from China on this furniture fittings line, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control recorded. This is the same rate across the catch designs shown.
Confirm the commodity code using the construction and intended use, particularly for magnetic catches or products incorporating a lock. For related fittings across the wider heading, see the drawer slides guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal roller catches for furniture cabinets | 8302 42 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the catch and striker together
Specify the catch mechanism, body material, finish, mounting method, hole positions, screw clearance and matching striker. Send a drawing showing the cabinet door gap, overlap and mounting surface. Agree opening force and retention using a sample fitted to the intended cabinet, rather than judging a loose catch by hand.
For roller and ball catches, agree spring action and adjustment. For toggle catches, check engagement and clearance through the full movement. Specify corrosion testing for the intended environment and packaging that keeps catches paired with their strikers.
Catches intended for or likely to be used by consumers in Great Britain must be safe under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Include checks for sharp edges, exposed springs and finger trapping when assessing the fitted sample.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2,000 metal cabinet catch sets with matching strikers under 8302 42 00 90, invoiced at £7,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,600, so it is £1,520. 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
Fit: mount samples on the intended cabinet and check hole positions, striker alignment and door clearance.
Action: compare opening force with the approved sample and repeat opening and closing to check sticking, spring movement and retention.
Finish: inspect edges, plating, rust and coating damage, including surfaces hidden after fitting.
Packing: check that each catch has the agreed striker and fixings, and that mixed designs remain identifiable.
What goes wrong
A catch can work on the supplier's test board yet miss its striker on your cabinet. Incorrect door gaps, changed hole positions and inconsistent spring force cause doors to rattle, resist opening or fail to stay closed. Thin mounting plates can distort when screws are tightened.
Keep an approved fitted sample and record acceptable adjustment before ordering. On arrival, compare catches from different cartons and check the supplied strikers before releasing stock. Use the quality inspection guide to organise shipment checks.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on metal cabinet catches from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 0% on furniture fittings under 8302 42 00 90, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded.
Do magnetic cabinet catches use the same commodity code?
Confirm their classification from the complete construction and intended use. A product name alone does not establish that the furniture fittings line applies.
How do I specify the opening force?
Agree it using a catch and matching striker fitted to your cabinet. Record the door gap, alignment and adjustment alongside the approved sample.
What should I check when cabinet catches arrive?
Check mounting dimensions, striker pairing, opening action, retention, sharp edges and finish. Fit samples to the intended cabinet before releasing the batch.