Sourcing oxygen nasal cannulas from China
Oxygen nasal cannulas from China fall within the other respiratory apparatus and accessories line, carrying 0% UK duty. For sale in Great Britain, medical device conformity requirements and registration apply; confirm with MHRA whether the Chinese manufacturer needs a UK Responsible Person. Cambridge China Bridge sources oxygen nasal cannulas.
Zero duty on oxygen therapy accessories
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 9019 covers mechano-therapy, massage and therapeutic respiration apparatus. Oxygen nasal cannulas sit within oxygen therapy accessories, rather than mechanical ventilators. The table separates buying variants within the same tariff line; these are not separate commodity codes.
The relevant line, 9019 20 90 00, carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. Medical device market requirements still apply.
Confirm the commodity code using the intended oxygen therapy use, product description and supplied components. For the wider respiratory equipment family, see ventilator breathing circuits. For oscillating PEP devices, see our oscillating PEP device sourcing guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult oxygen nasal cannulas | 9019 20 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the nasal prongs and oxygen connection
Specify the patient group, prong shape and spacing, softness, tubing material and length, adjustment slider and connector geometry. Distinguish conventional cannulas from products intended for high-flow systems. Agree the compatible oxygen source and the manufacturer's operating range, then obtain performance and patient-contact material evidence for the exact model.
Settle sterile or non-sterile supply, single-use status and packaging before ordering. For sterile products, request sterilisation validation, packaging evidence and shelf-life support. Manufacturers must meet the relevant medical device marking and conformity assessment requirements; check the accepted CE or UKCA route for the exact product.
For Great Britain sales, confirm with MHRA whether the Chinese manufacturer must appoint a UK Responsible Person; the device must be registered with the medicines regulator before placement on the market. Also confirm with MHRA how the importer should notify the manufacturer or responsible person of its import intention and how importer details should be submitted. Use testing and certification to review the product evidence before production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 10,000 individually packed oxygen nasal cannulas; values are illustrative. under 9019 20 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
Prongs: compare shape, spacing, surface finish and softness with the approved sample; check for flash, sharp edges and blocked openings.
Tubing and connectors: check length, lumen continuity, kinking, connection fit and leakage against the agreed specification using a bench fixture.
Packaging: check individual packs for punctures, open seals and contamination; compare sterile claims with the agreed supply condition.
Labels and records: match model, patient group, batch, expiry where applicable and English instructions to approved artwork and documents. Repeat these checks on arrival and retain the results from quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
Watch for stiff prongs, rough moulding, tubing flattened in packing and connectors that fit the sample oxygen source but fail to fit the buyer's equipment. Mixing patient sizes under similar packaging can also escape a carton-only check. Inspect unpacked production samples against the approved specification.
A factory certificate for another model does not establish conformity for the ordered cannula. Match the declaration, supporting reports and registration details to the actual manufacturer and product. For sterile supply, intact-looking packs alone do not demonstrate validated sterilisation.
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 oxygen nasal cannulas from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 0% duty under 9019 20 90 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. Confirm the code for the actual product.
Does a Chinese cannula manufacturer need a UK Responsible Person?
Yes, for placement on the Great Britain market. Confirm with MHRA whether the overseas manufacturer must appoint a UK Responsible Person; the device must be registered before it is placed on that market.
Should oxygen nasal cannulas be supplied sterile?
Specify the supply condition for the intended use. Do not assume every cannula is sterile. If ordering sterile products, request sterilisation validation, packaging evidence and shelf-life support.
Can I use the same cannula for any oxygen system?
Do not assume compatibility. Confirm the intended oxygen source, connector geometry and operating range. Assess high-flow products against their intended system rather than a conventional cannula sample.