Sourcing orthopaedic supports and braces from China
Orthopaedic appliances such as braces and supports, splints and hearing aids from China pay 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. A product intended to treat or alleviate an injury is a medical device under the Medical Devices Regulations 2002, so conformity assessment, a UK responsible person and MHRA registration need planning. Cambridge China Bridge sources orthopaedic and support products.
Orthopaedic supports, braces, splints and hearing aids pay 0% UK duty from China. Medical claims make them medical devices, with registration to plan.
Zero duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, orthopaedic appliances, splints and other fracture appliances, hearing aids and their parts, and other devices in the heading carried 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
A sports support sold only for comfort may be classified as clothing or a sports article rather than an orthopaedic appliance, so confirm the commodity code against the product and its claims.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orthopaedic appliances | 9021 10 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Splints and other fracture appliances | 9021 10 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Hearing aids, excluding parts and accessories | 9021 40 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Parts and accessories of hearing aids | 9021 90 10 00 | 0% | None |
When it is a medical device
Regulation 2 of the Medical Devices Regulations 2002 defines a medical device by what the manufacturer intends it for, including the treatment or alleviation of an injury or handicap, and compensation for them. A knee brace sold to support an injured joint, or a wrist splint for a fracture, is a medical device; the same fabric sleeve sold for warmth during exercise may not be.
A medical device placed on the GB market needs the conformity assessment for its class, a UK responsible person where the manufacturer is outside the UK, and registration with the MHRA. The medical and PPE guide sets out how that works with a Chinese manufacturer.
Sizing and materials
Supports are sold by size, so give the factory the size chart and measurement points, and check them on production pieces at inspection. Skin-contact materials need to be tested for irritants, and neoprene and latex need a clear statement on the label for users with allergies.
Metal stays, hinges and fastenings are the parts that fail; ask for durability tests and check the stitching around them.
Claims and packaging
The claims on the box decide the rules, so agree the wording before printing. Factories often supply artwork with medical claims copied from other markets, which would make a comfort product a medical device.
Cambridge China Bridge sources orthopaedic supports, braces and splints, with the claims, sizing and device documents settled before production. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on knee braces from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, orthopaedic appliances carried 0% duty from China, as did splints and hearing aids, with no anti-dumping duty.
Is a knee brace a medical device?
If it is intended to treat or alleviate an injury, yes, under regulation 2 of the Medical Devices Regulations 2002. A sleeve sold only for warmth may not be.
What does a medical device from China need for GB?
The conformity assessment for its class, a UK responsible person if the manufacturer is outside the UK, and MHRA registration.
Why do the claims on the packaging matter?
They show the intended purpose, which decides whether the product is a medical device, so agree the wording before printing.