Sourcing prescription spectacles from China
Prescription spectacles from China carry 2% UK duty across the relevant plastic and other lens lines. Corrective lenses are medical devices; a patient's prescription does not automatically make assembled glasses custom-made devices exempt from conformity marking. Cambridge China Bridge sources prescription spectacles.
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UK duty on mounted prescription spectacles
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 9004 covers spectacles, goggles and similar goods. This guide concerns corrective lenses already mounted in glasses. Plastic-lensed prescription spectacles fall under 9004 90 10 00; other lens materials fall under 9004 90 90 00. The table shows product variants sharing these tariff lines.
Both lines carry 2% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded. Their suspension applies only to protective spectacles and goggles, not ordinary prescription spectacles. The tariff attaches CITES import and export controls. If frame material contains a CITES-listed specimen, importing into Great Britain requires the relevant permit and corresponding documentation from China; confirm the material and applicable requirements with your customs broker.
Confirm the material and imported form using finding your commodity code. For the wider spectacles heading, see ready-made reading glasses. Separately imported lenses and frames need their own classification.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prescription spectacles with plastic single-vision lenses | 9004 90 10 00 | 2% | None |
| Prescription spectacles with glass single-vision lenses | 9004 90 90 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the prescription and glazing
Specify sphere, cylinder, axis, addition and prescribed prism for each eye, together with pupillary distance and fitting height. State lens material, refractive index, lens design, coatings, frame dimensions and the agreed optical tolerances. Keep each prescription linked to its order identifier through glazing, packing and dispatch.
For Great Britain, ophthalmic devices require an appropriate conformity mark unless genuinely custom-made. Official guidance says most ophthalmic products are not custom-made, including mass-produced lenses adapted to individual needs. Ask for the applicable device documentation, UK Responsible Person and registration evidence. Agree who checks the finished spectacles against the prescription before dispensing.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 900 pairs of prescription spectacles with plastic lenses under 9004 90 10 00, invoiced at £10,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,900. Duty at 2% is £218. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £11,118, so it is £2,223.60. Import taxes total £2,441.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £218 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Optics: measure sphere, cylinder, axis, addition and prism with a focimeter against the order and agreed tolerances; check that left and right lenses match their records.
Centration: check optical centre positions, pupillary distance, fitting heights and progressive lens orientation against the approved glazing instructions.
Assembly: inspect lens retention, edge finish, frame alignment, hinges and screws; look for chips, scratches and coating defects.
Identification: match each pair and its packaging to the prescription and order identifier. Review device documentation and approved labelling during quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A correctly powered lens can still be mounted at the wrong axis or height. Swapped lenses, inconsistent prescription notation and lost order identifiers can send the wrong glasses to the wearer. Require a recorded optical check after glazing and keep unresolved pairs apart from accepted goods.
Do not accept a claim that all prescription glasses are custom-made and therefore need no conformity mark. Confirm the actual manufacturing route. On arrival, repeat the agreed optical and assembly checks before releasing the shipment for dispensing.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For components and parts, see sourcing for manufacturers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on prescription spectacles from China?
The relevant plastic and other lens lines both carry 2% duty. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure is recorded. The protective eyewear suspension does not cover ordinary prescription spectacles.
Are prescription glasses automatically custom-made medical devices?
No. Confirm the manufacturing route before relying on a marking exemption.
Does a Chinese spectacle manufacturer need a UK Responsible Person?
For devices placed on the Great Britain market, confirm with MHRA whether the manufacturer outside the UK needs to appoint a UK Responsible Person and which registration requirements apply before market placement.
What should I check when prescription spectacles arrive?
Check lens powers, cylinder axes, prism, centration and fitting heights against each order. Inspect lens retention, frame alignment and coatings, and verify that packaging identifies the correct prescription.