Sourcing patient stretchers from China
Patient transport stretcher trolleys classified under heading 9402 carry 0% UK duty from China, with no listed trade remedy. When supplied as medical devices in Great Britain, they need registration before sale; confirm the applicable conformity-marking requirements with MHRA. Cambridge China Bridge sources patient transport stretchers.
Zero duty on qualifying stretcher trolleys
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 October 2026, heading 9402 covers medical, surgical, dental or veterinary furniture and its parts, alongside dentists' and barbers' chairs. Patient transport trolleys classified as other medical furniture use 9402 90 00 00. The table shows variants under this same commodity line, not separate tariff subdivisions.
The supplied tariff record lists 0% duty from China, no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, and no suspension for this line. It attaches import controls concerning goods for torture and repression and cat and dog fur. Ask your customs broker to confirm the requirements for the exact design and covering materials. The record also lists cultural-object and other export controls; these are export measures.
Confirm the commodity code using the intended use, construction and technical drawings before ordering. Do not assume every portable stretcher or ambulance loading assembly shares this classification. See the medical furniture guide for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patient transport stretcher trolleys, fixed height | 9402 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the trolley and its intended use
State whether the stretcher is for ward transfers or vehicle transport. Specify the rated patient load, overall dimensions, mattress platform, height adjustment, backrest movement, rail arrangement, brake controls and directional steering. For ambulance use, agree the exact vehicle mounting and loading interface. Supply drawings of the receiving space and agree an approved sample.
Decide whether the product is a medical device before choosing the compliance process. Medical-device furniture needs registration with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency before placement on the Great Britain market; confirm the applicable conformity and marking requirements with that agency. A manufacturer outside the UK must appoint a UK responsible person. Request model-specific conformity documents, English instructions and cleaning instructions before approving production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 200 fixed-height patient transport stretcher trolleys; illustrative order only under 9402 90 00 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £5,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £35,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £35,000, so it is £7,000. 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
Movement and brakes: roll the loaded sample, turn it, engage every brake and check directional steering. Look for castor wobble, dragging wheels and loose pedal linkages.
Rails and adjustment: cycle rail locks, backrest and height adjustment. Check for accidental release, trapping points, hydraulic leakage and sinking under the agreed test load.
Frame and mattress: inspect welds, fasteners, sharp edges, mattress retention and seams. Check stability in the agreed operating positions and wipe the cover with the buyer's intended disinfectants.
Documents and packing: match labels, instructions and conformity evidence to the delivered model. Check accessories, spare parts and transit damage during quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A trolley can roll freely when empty but steer poorly under load. Brake linkages can loosen, rail catches can appear locked without engaging, and hydraulic adjustment can creep. Write acceptance checks into the purchase specification and test the approved sample under representative conditions.
A similar-looking model may have different castors, rail locks or upholstery from the approved sample. Compare delivered components and documents with the agreed specification. For vehicle transport, trial the actual loading interface before accepting a batch; an ordinary ward trolley does not establish compatibility.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on patient stretchers from China?
The supplied tariff record lists 0% duty for other medical furniture under 9402 90 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure. Confirm that your stretcher fits this line.
Do patient transport stretchers need CE or UKCA marking?
When supplied as medical devices, they need registration before placement on the Great Britain market. Confirm the intended use and the model's conformity and marking requirements with MHRA.
Can a hospital stretcher trolley be used in an ambulance?
Check the exact vehicle loading system, mounting interface and operating conditions. Approve compatibility through a trial with the receiving vehicle rather than relying on catalogue photographs.
What should I test before accepting stretcher trolleys?
Check loaded steering, brakes, rail locks, height and backrest adjustment, frame stability, mattress retention and cleaning compatibility. Match the delivered model to its documents and approved sample.