Sourcing ostomy bags from China

Ostomy bag duty and classification

Heading 3006 covers specified pharmaceutical goods, including appliances identifiable for ostomy use under 3006 91 00 00. The table shows bag variants within that same commodity line, rather than separate tariff classifications. See the first aid kits and medical sundries guide for the wider heading.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, ostomy appliances from China carried 0% duty. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for this line. This tariff position does not replace medical device requirements for sale.

Confirm the commodity code using the bag's intended use, construction and supplied components. Check separately supplied accessories individually rather than assuming that everything ordered alongside a pouch uses the same code.

Specify the pouch, skin barrier and connection

Specify whether the bag is closed, drainable or intended for a urinary stoma, and whether the skin barrier is integral or supplied separately. Agree the opening profile, cutting template, pouch capacity, film, backing, filter, closure and any drainage tap. For separate coupling systems, name the mating barrier and approve assembled samples.

Confirm with MHRA how medical device rules apply to the ostomy bags you intend to supply. For sale in Great Britain, check the applicable UKCA or CE marking, the overseas manufacturer's UK Responsible Person and MHRA registration. Match the paperwork to the actual model and manufacturer.

Where the Great Britain importer is not the UK Responsible Person, the importer must tell the manufacturer or UK Responsible Person of its intention to import. The manufacturer or UK Responsible Person must provide MHRA with the importer details.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 10,000 drainable ostomy bags under 3006 91 00 00, invoiced at £12,800 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £16,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £16,800, so it is £3,360. 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

Pouch seals: inspect welded edges and test filled samples for leakage against the agreed method, including around filters and drainage outlets.

Skin barrier: compare the opening, adhesive surface and release liner with the approved sample; check for creases, contamination and lifting edges.

Connections and closures: assemble the agreed mating parts and check engagement, drainage, resealing and leakage after handling.

Packs and paperwork: match model descriptions and markings to the conformity documents; check batch identification, packaging damage, English instructions and agreed remaining shelf life.

What goes wrong

A bag can look correct but leak at a weld, drainage closure or coupling. A substituted adhesive or release liner can change application and removal. Write the approved materials and connection details into the purchase specification, and require approval before substitutions.

Paperwork for a different model or manufacturer leaves the buyer unable to match the delivered product to the compliance file. Keep affected stock separate while discrepancies are resolved. Do not assume ordinary ostomy bags are sterile; specify the supply condition and, for products sold as sterile, check sterilisation validation and packaging evidence.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.