Sourcing metal wire-binding combs from China
The supplied heading 8305 record shows a flat 2% UK duty for goods from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe. Match the comb to the punched holes and closing machine before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources metal wire-binding combs.
Duty and classification for wire-binding combs
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 8305 covers base-metal binder fittings and similar office articles, as well as staples in strips. This guide concerns formed metal wire-binding combs used to bind punched documents.
The supplied record shows 2% duty for goods from China on every line, including 8305 90 00 00, other articles including parts. It records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. The table repeats this candidate code for comb variants; these are not separate tariff lines.
Confirm the commodity code with your customs broker using photographs, material details and the comb's construction and use. The table is conditional on classification as other office articles. For the wider heading and opening binder fittings, see ring binder mechanisms.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut-length wire-binding combs, if classified as other office articles | 8305 90 00 00 | 2% | None |
Match the wire comb to the punched document
Specify loop pitch, loop count, cut length, wire diameter and the intended closed diameter. Send a punched sheet, the cover material and the finished document thickness. State whether you need cut lengths or reels, and identify the feeding and closing machine. Approve a bound sample made with your actual paper and covers.
Agree metal grade, coating or plating, colour, exposed-end finish and packing that protects the open loops. For reels, agree winding direction and feed orientation. Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Include exposed wire ends and coating damage in the safety assessment.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 2,000 cut-length metal wire-binding combs; illustrative order, FOB and freight values under 8305 90 00 00, invoiced at £7,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,600. Duty at 2% is £152. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,752, so it is £1,550.40. Import taxes total £1,702.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £152 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Geometry: compare pitch, loop count, length and wire diameter with the approved drawing; thread sampled combs through your punched sheets.
Closure: bind the agreed paper and cover stack using the intended machine; check for even closure, projecting ends, trapped sheets and free page turning.
Finish: check cut ends for burrs, coating for cracks after closing, and surfaces for rust, flaking or colour variation.
Packing: check for crushed loops, tangled lengths and mixed sizes; test reel feeding where applicable. Record findings through a shipment inspection.
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What goes wrong
A comb can have the requested diameter yet the wrong pitch, so it will not enter the punched holes. Uneven closure leaves gaps that release pages or pinches the paper. Excessive closing pressure can distort the loops or crack the coating. Test the complete bound document rather than approving a loose comb alone.
Unsupported packing can flatten open loops during transport, while damp storage can expose weaknesses in the finish. On arrival, inspect cartons for moisture and deformation, then bind samples from the delivered stock before releasing it to production.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on metal wire-binding combs from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 2% throughout heading 8305, including candidate code 8305 90 00 00, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the classification of your comb.
Will these wire combs fit my binding machine?
Check loop pitch, wire diameter, cut length and closing diameter against your punched sheets and machine. Ask for a bound sample using your paper and covers.
What safety checks should I make before selling wire-binding combs?
Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe. Assess sharp cut ends and damaged coatings, and inspect the finished bound document for exposed wire and trapped or torn pages.
Why do wire-binding combs arrive bent?
Open loops can be crushed by stacking pressure or inadequate carton support. Agree protective packing and check delivered combs for deformation before feeding them into the binding machine.