Sourcing orthopaedic bone screws from China
Orthopaedic bone screws entered as fracture appliances under heading 9021 carry 0% UK duty from China, with no trade remedy shown. Before sale in Great Britain, medical device conformity assessment, a UK responsible person for the Chinese manufacturer and MHRA registration need to be settled. Cambridge China Bridge sources orthopaedic bone screws.
Duty on fracture-fixation bone screws
Heading 9021 covers orthopaedic and fracture appliances, artificial body parts and other appliances compensating for a defect or disability. This guide concerns bone screws intended for fracture fixation. The table separates screw designs sharing the fracture-appliance line; it does not represent separate tariff subdivisions. For intramedullary fixation, see our intramedullary nail sourcing guide. For the reverse trade direction, see our guide to exporting orthopaedic implants to China from the UK.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the supplied fracture-appliance line 9021 10 90 00 carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control shown. Other lines in the heading have cat and dog fur controls; if using those lines, confirm the requirement with your customs broker.
Confirm the commodity code using the intended fixation use, drawings and product description before declaring the goods. For the wider heading and matching plate systems, see orthopaedic bone fixation plates. The FOB and freight figures in the worked example are illustrative.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cortical bone screws for fracture fixation | 9021 10 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the screw and its fixation system
Specify the intended fixation use, material grade, diameter, length measurement convention, thread profile, threaded length, head geometry and driver interface. For cannulated screws, state the bore and compatible guidewire. For locking screws, identify the exact plate system and mating thread. Approve drawings rather than relying on catalogue names.
Agree sterile or non-sterile supply, packaging, storage conditions and batch identification. Ask for material certificates, mechanical performance reports and biocompatibility evidence covering the actual screw family. For sterile supply, request sterilisation validation, sterile barrier evidence and shelf-life support.
Manufacturers must meet the relevant medical device marking and conformity assessment requirements. A Chinese manufacturer needs a UK responsible person, and devices must be registered with the MHRA before placement on the Great Britain market. Ask for the declaration, applicable certificates and registration details for the exact products before ordering.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative mixed-size order of fracture-fixation bone screws 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
Dimensions: measure sampled screws against approved drawings, including thread geometry, head recess and cannulation; verify the agreed length convention.
Compatibility: check the specified driver fit and, where applicable, locking engagement with the named plate system using designated inspection samples.
Finish and material: check for burrs, damaged threads, machining debris and surface defects; match material and production records to the delivered batches.
Packaging and records: compare item, size, lot and sterile status with the order and approved artwork; check seals and expiry markings where applicable. Keep sterile sale units sealed during quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A matching catalogue diameter does not establish compatibility. Different head threads or driver recesses can prevent correct engagement, while inconsistent length conventions create picking errors. Control drawing revisions and agree how substitutions will be approved before production.
Mixed sizes, unreadable lot labels and damaged sterile packs can make stock difficult to release or trace. Hold affected stock while investigating. A factory certificate alone does not establish that the delivered screw family has the required conformity documents and registration.
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 screws from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 0% duty under fracture-appliance code 9021 10 90 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm that the exact screw belongs in this line.
What documents do Chinese bone screws need for sale in Great Britain?
Settle the applicable conformity assessment and marking, the Chinese manufacturer's UK responsible person and MHRA registration. Match the declaration and applicable certificates to the actual screw family.
Can locking screws from different factories fit the same plate?
Do not assume compatibility from nominal diameter. Compare the head thread, seating geometry and driver interface with the exact plate system, and request supporting compatibility evidence.
What should I check when sterile bone screws arrive?
Check product and size identification, lot, expiry and sterile status against approved records. Examine packaging for damage and failed seals without opening sale units; hold suspect stock for investigation.