Sourcing bone fixation plates from China
Orthopaedic bone fixation plates from China fall within heading 9021, whose supplied tariff lines all carry 0% UK duty. Before sale in Great Britain, plan medical device conformity assessment, a UK responsible person and registration with the medicines regulator. Cambridge China Bridge sources orthopaedic bone fixation plates.
Zero duty, with classification to confirm
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, every supplied line of heading 9021 carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no listed suspension. The heading includes orthopaedic appliances, fracture appliances and artificial body parts. The table shows plate variants against the same fracture-appliance line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. For another orthopaedic product, see our guide to sourcing hip replacement implants.
The supplied fracture-appliance line has no attached import control. Other lines within the heading have cat and dog fur controls attached by the UK Trade Tariff; if your broker selects such a line, confirm the requirement with them. These heading-level entries do not establish the classification of a particular plate.
Confirm the commodity code using the plate's intended purpose, material, drawings and whether it arrives separately or within a system. For wider heading context, see dental implants. Zero customs duty does not replace medical device compliance. For intramedullary fixation, see our intramedullary nail sourcing guide. For orthodontic products, see our orthodontic bracket sourcing guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight bone fracture fixation plates, subject to classification confirmation | 9021 10 90 00 | 0% | None |
Plate geometry, materials and device documents
Specify anatomical application, side, contour, length, thickness, hole positions and locking or non-locking design. Identify the compatible screws, instruments and approved drawing revision. Ask for material composition, heat or batch records, surface finish and mechanical test reports covering the actual plate family. Agree whether supply is sterile or non-sterile.
For the Great Britain market, plan conformity assessment for the device's class and confirm with the medicines regulator the applicable UK responsible person arrangements for the Chinese manufacturer and registration steps before sale. Manufacturers must meet the relevant product marking and conformity assessment requirements. Check the exact models covered by the declaration and certificates through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative mixed order of bone fracture fixation plates, subject to classification confirmation under 9021 10 90 00, invoiced at £10,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,900, so it is £2,180. 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
Geometry: measure plate dimensions, contour and hole positions against the approved drawings; check anatomical side and model identification.
Interfaces: check sample plates with the specified screws and instruments, including locking engagement, thread condition and seating.
Material and finish: match batch records to the delivered plates; inspect for burrs, scratches, residues and damaged threads.
Packaging and records: compare labels and instructions with approved artwork, match batch references and inspect seals on sterile packs without opening saleable units. Request sterilisation validation and shelf-life evidence where supplied sterile. Arrange quality inspection around these checks.
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What goes wrong
Potential failures include incorrect anatomical contours, mixed left and right plates, mismatched locking threads and material records that cannot be traced to the shipment. A matching appearance does not establish compatibility with another manufacturer's screw system. Require drawing approval and documented interface checks before accepting substitutions.
Certificates may cover a different manufacturer or plate family, while damaged sterile packaging can undermine the supplied sterile condition. Hold affected stock for investigation. Agree document review, receiving checks and responsibility for resolving discrepancies before placing the order.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For components and parts, see sourcing for manufacturers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on bone fixation plates from China?
The supplied heading 9021 lines carry 0% duty, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the plate's exact classification before declaring it.
Can I sell Chinese bone plates in Great Britain?
Plan device conformity assessment, a UK responsible person appointed by the manufacturer and registration with the medicines regulator before sale. Check documents against the exact plate models.
Can I use another supplier's screws with the plates?
Do not assume compatibility from appearance. Specify the screw system and require documented checks of thread engagement, seating and the manufacturer's intended combination.
What should I check on sterile bone plate deliveries?
Check seals, packaging damage, model and batch identification, and expiry against approved artwork. Match the shipment to sterilisation and shelf-life records without opening saleable sterile packs.