Sourcing Netballs from China
Inflatable netballs from China carry 2% UK duty across the variants shown, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Consumer netballs supplied in Great Britain must be safe. Confirm classification and approve grip, shape and air retention before production. Cambridge China Bridge sources netballs.
Buying from China for a business? How our UK China sourcing agent service works · China sourcing agent for small orders and first imports
Netballs: 2% duty under the inflatable-ball line
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 11 December 2026, heading 9506 covers sports and outdoor-game equipment. Inflatable balls under 9506 62 00 00 are the candidate classification for ordinary inflatable netballs. The table shows purchasing variants sharing that code, rather than separate tariff lines.
The supplied record shows 2% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. It attaches a DCMS export licence measure. Official guidance requires a UK export licence for objects of cultural interest exported from Great Britain outside the UK; ask your customs broker whether the attached measure affects any onward export.
Confirm the commodity code against the finished ball, construction and intended use before ordering. For the wider heading, see the basketball sourcing guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflatable netballs for club training | 9506 62 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify grip, bladder and playing surface
State whether the netball is for indoor or outdoor use, training or match play. Specify circumference, weight, roundness, cover material, grip texture, panel construction, bladder material and valve position. Agree inflation pressure, permitted variation and an air-retention test with the factory, using a retained physical sample.
Approve wet and dry handling, rebound, seam finish and logo adhesion on the actual cover. Consumer netballs supplied in Great Britain must be safe under general product safety rules. Request safety evidence matching the ordered materials and model, clear inflation instructions and traceable product identification. Use testing and certification support to define suitable checks.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 350 inflatable training netballs, illustrative only under 9506 62 00 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £350 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,850. Duty at 2% is £57. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,907, so it is £581.40. Import taxes total £638.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £57 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Shape and weight: check inflated circumference, weight and roundness against the agreed specification; look for bulges and uneven panels.
Valve and bladder: check needle access, valve seating and air retention using the agreed inflation and conditioning method.
Grip and finish: compare wet and dry handling, seams, exposed adhesive and print resistance with the retained sample.
Arrival and packing: check quantities, model identification, instructions, damp cartons and deformation after reinflation. Record results using the inspection guide.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A sample can feel grippy while production balls arrive with a smoother cover or different surface treatment. Uneven panels can distort the inflated shape, and leaking valves can make apparently sound balls soften during storage. Printing can rub off where the textured cover prevents consistent adhesion.
Approve the complete construction rather than artwork alone. Record materials and test methods in the purchase specification, require approval before substitutions, and inspect finished stock before dispatch. Repeat inflation and handling checks on arrival, including balls taken from different cartons.
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 netballs from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 2% for inflatable balls under 9506 62 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. Confirm that the code fits your netballs.
What should I specify when ordering netballs?
Specify intended court surface, circumference, weight, cover and bladder materials, grip texture, panel construction, valve, inflation pressure and air retention. Approve a physical sample.
How do I check whether netballs leak?
Agree an inflation pressure, conditioning method, test duration and acceptance criteria before production. Check pressure retention and valve leakage, then repeat the agreed test on arrival.
What safety rules apply when selling netballs in Great Britain?
Consumer netballs must be safe under general product safety rules. Request evidence matching the supplied model and materials, relevant safety instructions and traceable product identification.