Sourcing plastic toothed headbands from China

Plastic headbands: 2% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 9615 covers combs, hair-slides and similar articles, alongside hairpins and non-electric curling accessories. Plastic toothed headbands fall within the plastics line, 9615 11 00 00. The table shows product variants sharing that commodity line.

The supplied snapshot records 2% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension listed. It attaches cat and dog fur import and export controls. Imports and exports of that fur, including products made from it, are banned. Specify plastic headbands without fur trims.

Confirm the commodity code against the finished sample and its materials, particularly if adding fabric coverings or decorations. Textile headbands may be classified separately. See the hair side combs guide for related goods within the wider heading.

Specify the band shape and teeth

Specify the plastic type, colour, surface finish, band width, relaxed opening and intended fit. Agree tooth length, spacing, tip shape and the finish at the ends behind the ears. Keep an approved sample showing the agreed flexibility and grip, rather than accepting a photograph as the specification.

For Great Britain, the importer must ensure the consumer product is safe in normal and reasonably foreseeable use. Children's versions should avoid sharp points and detachable small decorations; for designs intended for play, confirm with the relevant authority whether toy rules apply. Ask for UK REACH screening of plastics and coatings, as described in the site's existing hair accessories guide.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 7,500 plastic toothed headbands under 9615 11 00 00, invoiced at £7,500 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £8,400. Duty at 2% is £168. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £8,568, so it is £1,713.60. Import taxes total £1,881.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £168 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Teeth and edges: inspect tooth tips, mould seams and band ends for flash, sharpness and broken teeth; run the sample through a hair swatch to check snagging.

Flexibility and fit: spread and release samples using the agreed method; check for cracking, whitening, permanent distortion and uncomfortable pressure behind the ears.

Finish and decorations: compare colour and texture with the approved sample, rub against light material for colour transfer and pull-check any attached decoration.

Packing and traceability: check counts, protection against crushing, and labels against the approved artwork. Where reasonable, the product or packaging must identify the producer's name and address and the product reference or batch. Include information about risks that are not immediately obvious. Arrange quality inspection before dispatch and repeat arrival checks.

What goes wrong

A sample can feel comfortable while the production batch grips too tightly or twists after packing. Thin areas near tooth roots can crack when the band is spread. Moulding flash can scratch the scalp or catch hair, and stacked bands can arrive distorted if cartons compress them.

Compare arrival samples with the retained approved sample before releasing stock. Record failures by colour and batch, photograph damaged teeth and distorted bands, and agree corrective action with the factory. Keep the material and moulding specification tied to the repeat order.

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.