Sourcing padel rackets from China
Padel rackets entered under the other-rackets line carry 2% UK duty from China, with no trade remedy recorded. Confirm classification before ordering. Consumer rackets sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal and reasonably foreseeable use. Cambridge China Bridge sources padel rackets.
Padel racket classification and duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, heading 9506 covers sports and exercise equipment. Its other-rackets line, 9506 59 00 00, carries 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied facts do not name padel explicitly, so treat this as a proposed classification. The table shows product variants against the same tariff line.
The supplied record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension for this line. It attaches a DCMS Export Licence control. Ask your customs broker to confirm its applicability to your transaction. This guide concerns consumer product safety in Great Britain.
Confirm the commodity code using the racket's construction and intended use before costing the order. For other products in this heading, see the fitness equipment guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round padel rackets, subject to classification confirmation | 9506 59 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the face, core and balance
Specify head shape, finished weight and tolerance, balance point, thickness, handle dimensions, grip material and wrist-strap attachment. Describe the face laminate and reinforcement, foam core material and hardness, hole layout, edge protection and surface texture. Approve a finished sample rather than relying on a photograph or a carbon-fibre description.
Consumer rackets supplied in Great Britain fall within the general product safety rules. They must be safe under normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Build safety checks around frame breakage, exposed fibres, sharp hole edges and strap attachment. Agree practical impact, repeated-use and grip checks against the approved sample before production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 3,000 padel rackets under 9506 59 00 00, invoiced at £58,000 free on board, with £6,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £64,500. Duty at 2% is £1,290. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £65,790, so it is £13,158. Import taxes total £14,448; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,290 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Construction: check the declared face and core materials against production records and agreed sample checks; inspect cracks, voids, delamination and exposed fibres.
Handling: check finished weight, balance, handle dimensions and grip wrapping against the specification; compare sample rackets during practical play.
Strap and finish: check strap anchorage, edge protection, hole edges, surface texture and print adhesion; inspect again after agreed impact and repeated-use checks.
Traceability and packing: check the producer's name and address and product or batch reference on the racket or packaging where reasonable, as required by the safety rules. Check individual protection against rubbing and crushing. Use the inspection guide to agree the inspection scope.
What goes wrong
A racket can look like the sample but feel different because the core, laminate or balance has changed. Other faults to look for include face separation, frame cracks around drilled holes, loose handles, weak strap anchors and coatings that wear away. A cosmetic inspection alone will miss internal construction differences.
Keep an approved sample and written material specification, agree how production samples will be checked, and require approval before substitutions. Match test records to the actual construction supplied. Describe faults and acceptance criteria before paying the balance.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on padel rackets from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 2% for 9506 59 00 00, the other-rackets line, with no trade remedy or suspension. Confirm that classification for your padel racket.
What should I specify when ordering padel rackets?
Specify head shape, weight tolerance, balance, face laminate, core material and hardness, grip, strap attachment, texture and packing. Approve a finished sample.
What safety rules apply to selling padel rackets in Great Britain?
Consumer rackets must be safe in normal and reasonably foreseeable use under the general product safety rules. Check breakage, sharp edges, exposed fibres and strap attachment.
How do I check whether production matches the sample?
Compare weight, balance, grip and finish, verify material records, and agree construction, impact and repeated-use checks. Appearance alone does not establish the core or laminate.