Sourcing petrol pocket lighters from China
Petrol pocket lighters from China carry 0% UK duty under the other-lighters line; the supplied heading has a uniform 0% rate. Consumer lighters must be safe, and refillability alone does not establish a child-resistance exemption. Cambridge China Bridge sources petrol pocket lighters.
Petrol pocket lighter duty and material controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, heading 9613 covers cigarette and other lighters and their parts, excluding flints and wicks. For liquid-fuel petrol pocket lighters, the relevant candidate is 9613 80 00 00, other lighters. The gas pocket lighter rows are included only for classification comparison.
All supplied lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures or tariff suspensions recorded. The other-lighters and refillable gas pocket lighter lines have CITES import and export controls attached. Check the species behind any animal or plant decoration. For controlled materials from China, confirm the required UK import and corresponding Chinese export documents with the authorities and your customs broker. Check official species and country restrictions before ordering.
Confirm the commodity code using the fuel type, operating mechanism and whether the shipment contains complete lighters or parts. For the wider heading, see utility gas lighters. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other lighters, including petrol pocket lighters | 9613 80 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Lighter parts, excluding flints and wicks | 9613 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Refillable gas pocket lighters, for comparison | 9613 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Non-refillable gas pocket lighters, for comparison | 9613 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the wick, insert and fuel condition
Specify case material and finish, hinge construction, removable insert fit, wick material and routing, absorbent packing, spark wheel, flint spring and closure action. Name the intended lighter fuel and agree whether goods arrive unused and empty or contain fuel. Ask the freight forwarder to assess the actual fuel condition before booking transport.
Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Obtain safety and child-resistance reports matching the actual model. Do not assume a refillable metal lighter is exempt from child-resistance testing; ask Trading Standards to confirm any exemption and its conditions for the actual model. Also confirm with Trading Standards whether the design is a prohibited novelty lighter. Arrange testing and certification checks before approving production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 2,500 petrol pocket lighters under 9613 80 00 00, invoiced at £27,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £28,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £28,200, so it is £5,640. 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
Case and insert: check hinge play, lid alignment, burrs, finish adhesion and insert retention against the approved sample.
Ignition and extinguishing: have competent inspectors check spark consistency, wick position, flame behaviour and complete extinguishing when the lid closes.
Fuel retention: check packing and wick assembly, signs of seepage and the agreed fuel condition. Investigate damp packaging or unexpected fuel odour before releasing stock.
Instructions and traceability: check refilling and fire-risk instructions, model identification and batch records. Where reasonable, product or packaging identification must include the producer's name and address and product or batch reference. Use a quality inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
Loose hinges leave the lid misaligned, weak insert retention lets the mechanism move, and substituted packing changes fuel retention. Poor wick routing can make ignition inconsistent or flames uneven. Record the internal assembly as well as the case finish in the approved sample.
A factory may keep the same outer case while changing the ignition mechanism, so a report for the earlier sample may no longer represent production. Hold changed batches for review. Decorative animal or plant materials also need identification before CITES checks; ask the broker to resolve uncertain material controls before shipment.
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 petrol pocket lighters from China?
The supplied tariff reading gives 0% under 9613 80 00 00, other lighters, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or tariff suspension recorded.
Are refillable petrol lighters exempt from child-resistance testing?
Do not rely on refillability alone. Ask Trading Standards to confirm whether the actual model qualifies for a child-resistance exemption and what conditions apply before relying on it.
Can I ship petrol pocket lighters as empty goods?
Agree the fuel condition with the factory and disclose it to the freight forwarder. Ask the forwarder to assess unused empty, previously fuelled and filled goods separately before accepting a booking.
Why does the tariff show CITES for petrol lighters?
The other-lighters line has CITES controls attached. Check any animal or plant decoration against the controlled species lists, then confirm applicable documents and restrictions with the authorities and your broker.