Sourcing prosthetic limbs from China
Prosthetic limbs from China carry 0% UK duty under the relevant artificial body parts line, with no listed trade remedy. Before sale in Great Britain, settle the medical device conformity route, UK Responsible Person and MHRA registration. Cambridge China Bridge sources prosthetic limbs.
Duty on prosthetic limbs
Heading 9021 covers artificial body parts alongside orthopaedic appliances and other disability aids. This guide concerns external prosthetic limbs. The table gives product examples within the same tariff line, rather than separate commodity codes. See orthopaedic supports and braces for the wider heading.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 7 October 2026, code 9021 39 90 00 carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no listed suspension. The tariff attaches cat and dog fur import and export controls. Products containing such fur cannot be imported into, exported from or placed on the market in Great Britain. Ask the factory to confirm the materials used in coverings and liners.
Confirm the commodity code from the actual goods, particularly when ordering separate components rather than complete limbs. Do not classify an external prosthetic knee as an implanted artificial joint merely because both descriptions mention a joint.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial lower limbs | 9021 39 90 00 | 0% | None |
Sockets, components and the device route
Specify upper or lower limb, intended activity, patient weight range, dimensions, socket interface, suspension method and component compatibility. For knees and feet, agree movement, stiffness and alignment requirements. For powered hands, define control inputs, battery arrangement and charging equipment. Ask for test reports matching the exact model and configuration.
Distinguish modular products from genuinely custom-made devices. MHRA guidance says modular prostheses must be assembled according to the manufacturer's instructions and adapted for individual patients. Adjustment for a patient does not by itself make a mass-produced device custom-made.
For Great Britain, confirm conformity assessment, the Chinese manufacturer's UK Responsible Person and MHRA registration before sale. Custom-made devices do not need UKCA marking when first placed on the market, but still have applicable device obligations. Obtain a written explanation of the proposed route, supported by the product documents.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of prosthetic feet for a prosthetics business under 9021 39 90 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 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,900, so it is £2,180. 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
Interfaces: check connector dimensions, threads, alignment references and component identities against approved drawings; reject undocumented substitutions.
Structure and movement: inspect for cracks, sharp edges, loose fasteners and binding joints; compare movement and locking behaviour with the approved sample.
Sockets and coverings: check dimensions, finish, liner fit and suspension engagement; match materials to the approved specification and skin-contact reports.
Documents and traceability: match model and batch identification to the supplied instructions and device documents. Use quality inspection to organise checks before shipment and repeat the receiving checks on arrival.
What goes wrong
A connector can appear compatible but have the wrong dimensions or alignment geometry. Changes to joint mechanisms, foot stiffness or liner materials can undermine the approved configuration. Keep a component list and require approval before the factory substitutes materials or parts.
Another problem is accepting a generic certificate or a claim that every individually fitted limb is custom-made. Match the documents to the actual product and route. Inspection of goods does not establish patient suitability; arrange fitting and clinical assessment through the buyer's prosthetic service.
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 prosthetic limbs from China?
The relevant artificial body parts line, 9021 39 90 00, carries 0% duty in the supplied tariff facts, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Does a Chinese prosthetic limb need UK registration?
Medical devices must be registered with the MHRA before placement on the Great Britain market. A manufacturer outside the UK must appoint a UK Responsible Person.
Is an individually fitted prosthetic limb custom-made?
Not automatically. MHRA guidance says mass-produced devices adapted for a patient are not custom-made. Confirm the route from the design, prescription and manufacturing arrangements.
What should I ask the factory before ordering?
Ask for the component list, interface drawings, intended-use limits, model-specific test reports, fitting instructions and documents supporting the proposed medical device route.