Sourcing Metal Corset Busks from China

Duty and classification for metal corset busks

Heading 8308 covers base-metal clasps, hooks, eyes and similar fittings for clothing and other made-up articles, including parts. For a corset busk, describe the complete closure: metal strips carrying mating studs and loops. Distinguish complete paired closures from separately supplied components.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, every supplied line carried 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control.

The table repeats the other-fastener code for busk designs, subject to classification; these are product variants rather than separate tariff lines. Send drawings, photographs and details of the fastening action to your broker to confirm the commodity code. See the wider metal hook-and-eye fasteners guide for related fittings.

Specify the paired strips and closure geometry

Specify the strip material, length, width, thickness, stiffness and end shape. State whether the busk is straight or spoon-shaped, and identify the stud side and loop side on a drawing. Give stud and loop positions, their distance from the strip ends, and the tolerances needed for your sewing pattern.

Agree the finish, protective coating and how studs and loops attach to the strips. Approve a matched pair sewn into the intended fabric channels. Check closure alignment, opening effort and whether the ends press through the fabric when the garment bends. Define the packing unit as a matched pair or a separate half.

Confirm applicable consumer-product safety and importer labelling requirements with Trading Standards. Where metal parts have direct and prolonged skin contact, confirm any applicable UK REACH nickel release requirements with HSE. Ask for a report matching the actual material and finish, rather than accepting a nickel-free claim alone. Agree the checks with testing and certification support.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 600 matched corset busk pairs, with illustrative FOB and freight values under 8308 90 00 90, invoiced at £1,500 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,100. Duty at 2% is £42. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,142, so it is £428.40. Import taxes total £470.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £42 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Dimensions: measure strip geometry and fastening positions against the approved drawing; check that mating halves align when sewn into the intended channels.

Closure: open and close sampled pairs, check stud and loop attachment, and look for spreading loops, loose studs or permanent bending after the agreed loading checks.

Edges and finish: check strip ends, loops and stud bases for burrs, sharp edges, exposed metal, flaking coating and corrosion; compare the finish with the retained sample.

Packing: check that each pack contains matching halves of the stated design, with protection against bending and surface abrasion. Include these checks in the shipment inspection.

What goes wrong

Matching overall length does not guarantee a usable pair. Stud spacing can differ from loop spacing, or fastening positions can clash with the sewing pattern. A loose stud or spreading loop can release under tension. Rough strip ends can wear through fabric channels, while a stiff or incorrectly shaped busk can distort the garment front.

Approve the busk in the garment assembly and compare production pairs with that sample. Keep supplier records so the origin of goods sold can be traced. Record the finish and production batch alongside inspection results, and separate mismatched or damaged halves before they reach the sewing line.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.