Sourcing plastic safety overshoes from China
Moulded plastic safety overshoes within heading 6402 carry 16% UK duty from China across the listed lines. Most new protective equipment sold in Great Britain must carry UKCA or CE marking, a declaration of conformity and English instructions. Check protection claims against the actual model. Cambridge China Bridge sources moulded plastic safety overshoes.
Duty depends on the overshoe construction
Heading 6402 covers other footwear with rubber or plastic outer soles and uppers. For moulded plastic safety overshoes, establish whether the product covers the ankle and incorporates a protective metal toecap. Other plastic-upper lines distinguish insole length and whether the footwear is identifiable as men's or women's. The table gives candidate classifications, subject to checking the actual construction.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, all listed lines carried 16% duty for goods from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. The ankle-covering metal-toecap line has cat and dog fur import and export controls attached. Confirm the applicable declaration with your customs broker, including for an entirely synthetic product.
Send photographs, material details, ankle coverage, toecap material and measured insole length to your broker before confirming the commodity code. A composite toecap does not match a line described as incorporating a protective metal toecap. For the wider plastic footwear family, see moulded EVA clogs.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below-ankle overshoes incorporating a protective metal toecap | 6402 99 05 00 | 16% | None |
| Ankle-covering overshoes incorporating a protective metal toecap | 6402 91 10 00 | 16% | None |
| Other closed plastic overshoes, insoles shorter than 24 cm | 6402 99 91 00 | 16% | None |
| Other closed plastic overshoes, unisex, insoles at least 24 cm | 6402 99 93 00 | 16% | None |
Specify protection and fit over existing shoes
Define the intended hazard, underlying shoe shapes, retention method, toe coverage and sole tread. Specify the moulded plastic material, flexibility, colour and cleaning method. Test fitting samples over the footwear your staff or customers actually wear, including broad toe shapes. Check that the overshoe stays seated during walking and does not press the protective cap against the underlying shoe.
Most new PPE placed on the Great Britain market must be UKCA or CE marked, supplied with a declaration of conformity and instructions in English. The importer must indicate their name, registered trade name or registered trademark and postal address on the PPE. Match documents to the overshoe model and claimed protection before ordering; use testing and certification support to define the evidence to request. For protective riding footwear, see our guide to sourcing synthetic motorcycle boots.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 80 pairs of moulded plastic overshoes with protective metal toecaps; consolidated freight under 6402 99 05 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £80 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,080. Duty at 16% is £492.80. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,572.80, so it is £714.56. Import taxes total £1,207.36; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £492.80 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: check each supplied size over the agreed underlying shoes, including heel retention, strap adjustment and toe clearance.
Moulding: check for short-filled areas, splits, sharp flash and uneven wall thickness; compare flexibility and dimensions with the approved sample.
Protection: check toecap position, secure encapsulation and tread consistency. Match performance reports to the supplied model, materials and claimed hazards.
Documents: check conformity marking, declaration, English instructions and importer identification against the supplied product. Include these checks in the inspection brief and repeat them on arrival.
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What goes wrong
An overshoe can fit a narrow trainer but slip off a broad work shoe. A stiff moulding can make fitting difficult, while excess flexibility can weaken retention. Agree the underlying footwear range and approve fitting samples before accepting a size chart.
A metal cap can shift inside the moulding, tread can differ from the tested sample, and a report for another model can leave the advertised protection unsupported. Keep the approved sample, material specification and document references together. Treat material, cap or tread changes as reasons to review the evidence before shipment.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on plastic safety overshoes from China?
The listed heading 6402 lines carry 16% duty from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions in the supplied tariff snapshot.
Do safety overshoes need CE or UKCA marking?
Most new PPE placed on the Great Britain market must be UKCA or CE marked and supplied with a declaration of conformity and instructions in English.
Can a composite toecap use the metal-toecap commodity code?
A composite toecap does not match the metal-toecap description. Ask your broker to classify the actual materials and construction rather than copying a supplier's code.
How do I check that overshoes fit my staff's footwear?
Try fitting samples over the actual shoe shapes in use. Check toe clearance, heel retention and walking stability, then record the accepted combinations in the purchase specification.