Sourcing postpartum maternity pads from China

Zero duty on postpartum maternity pads

Heading 9619 covers sanitary pads and related absorbent hygiene articles of any material. For postpartum maternity pads, the relevant lines distinguish textile wadding, other textiles and other materials. The table shows alternative material classifications, rather than interchangeable codes. For wider heading coverage, see disposable panty liners.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the relevant maternity pad lines carry 0% duty on goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines.

Confirm the commodity code using the finished pad's construction and materials. Confirm with HMRC or your customs broker whether pads designed and marketed solely to absorb or collect lochia qualify for zero-rated VAT, including at import. Incontinence pads do not qualify under this sanitary protection relief. Check the intended use and packaging wording before applying the rate; see UK import duty and VAT.

Specify the lochia pad, core and fit

Specify pad length, width, thickness, contour, wings or wingless design, and whether it uses adhesive or sits inside supporting underwear. Define the skin-contact layer, absorbent core composition and weight, backsheet and fragrance choice. Approve the individual wrapper and retail pack alongside the pad.

Agree tests for liquid acquisition, total absorption, rewet under pressure and leakage during movement. Record the test liquid and method so results can be compared with the approved sample. Request skin irritation and hygiene test data for the finished construction. Consumer pads must be safe under general product safety law; these checks support the buying decision.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 60,000 disposable maternity pads under 9619 00 71 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £590 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,090. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,090, so it is £618. 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. This assumes the goods are standard-rated for VAT. Women's sanitary products designed solely for menstrual flow are zero-rated under HMRC's VAT Notice 701/18, and incontinence products can be zero-rated under the disability relief, so check the rate for your product.

Inspection checklist

Core and dimensions: compare sampled pads with the approved specification, weigh the core and check pulp distribution, contour and edge sealing.

Absorption and dryness: repeat the agreed acquisition, rewet and leakage checks on production samples, including after flexing the pad.

Adhesive and wrapper: check attachment to the intended underwear fabric, release-paper removal, adhesive transfer, wrapper seals and damage after unpacking.

Hygiene and labels: inspect for foreign matter, dampness and odour; check pack counts, lochia-use wording, importer details and batch references during quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A thick pad can still perform poorly if the core absorbs slowly or releases liquid under pressure. Uneven pulp can leave gaps or form clumps when wet. Weak edge seals allow leakage, while stiff seams and a rough surface can make the pad uncomfortable.

Production adhesive may differ from the approved sample, causing movement or residue on underwear. Wrappers can split during packing and cartons can arrive damp. Compare arrival samples with retained production samples, isolate suspect stock and ask the factory to investigate before agreeing a 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.