Sourcing protective flight cases from China
Protective equipment flight cases from China carry 2% to 8% UK duty across the selected lines. Classification depends on the container type and construction, so distinguish moulded plastic, plastic sheeting and aluminium rather than using the supplier's name alone. Cambridge China Bridge sources protective equipment flight cases.
UK duty on protective equipment flight cases
Heading 4202 covers trunks and similar containers alongside other equipment cases. The table gives candidate lines for empty protective equipment flight cases, rather than cases supplied with equipment. An aluminium frame around a covered panel is not enough to establish that the whole case belongs in the aluminium line. Compare the complete construction and intended use.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, the selected lines carry 2% to 8% duty for goods from China, including 4% for moulded-plastic trunk-style cases and aluminium trunk-style cases. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension is recorded. The textile line carries CITES import and export controls; leather lines elsewhere in the heading also carry cat and dog fur and seal-product controls. Confirm material-specific requirements with your customs broker.
For China shipments containing CITES-listed materials, confirm the applicable permit requirements before ordering. Cat and dog fur products cannot be imported; seal products face a market ban with limited exceptions. Use the commodity code guide to confirm classification from the finished case and material specification. For related cases within the wider heading, see musical instrument cases.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trunk-style equipment cases with plastic-sheet outer surface | 4202 12 19 00 | 8% | None |
| Trunk-style equipment cases of moulded plastic | 4202 12 50 00 | 4% | None |
| Trunk-style equipment cases of aluminium | 4202 19 10 00 | 4% | None |
| Trunk-style equipment cases of other materials, not hand-made | 4202 19 90 90 | 2% | None |
| Other equipment containers with plastic-sheet outer surface | 4202 92 19 00 | 8% | None |
| Other equipment containers with textile outer surface, not hand-made | 4202 92 98 90 | 2% | None |
| Other equipment containers of other materials | 4202 99 00 90 | 2% | None |
Specify the shell, foam and loaded handling
Give the factory the equipment outline, weight, vulnerable projections and accessories. Specify usable internal space after fitting the foam, lid clearance, foam material and firmness, removable inserts and the direction in which equipment is lifted out. Approve a sample using the actual equipment or an agreed substitute matching its shape and weight.
Write down panel construction, outer covering, edge extrusion, corner protection, hinge attachment, recessed handles, latches, castors and stacking arrangements. Agree loaded lifting, rolling and handling checks. Request test evidence for any advertised water or impact protection, matched to the supplied construction.
Where cases are intended or likely to be used by consumers, the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 apply in Great Britain. Confirm the applicable product-safety obligations with the relevant authority. Include sharp edges, trapped fingers and unstable loaded cases in your assessment. Ask the factory to retain the agreed construction details and sample.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 100 compact equipment flight cases, illustrative order under 4202 19 90 90, invoiced at £4,200 free on board, with £350 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,550. Duty at 2% is £91. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,641, so it is £928.20. Import taxes total £1,019.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £91 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: check the equipment sits securely without loading switches, connectors or screens; close the lid and inspect foam contact.
Shell: compare panel material and thickness with the sample; inspect corners, extrusion joints, rivets, exposed edges and lid alignment.
Hardware: lift and roll the loaded case using the agreed method; check handle fixings, latch engagement, hinges, castor mounts and brakes.
Arrival: inspect for crushed corners, bent frames, loose foam and moisture; photograph damage and compare case identification with the packing list. See quality inspection.
What goes wrong
A case can look correct while leaving equipment unsupported. Foam cut-outs may copy the outline but miss the centre of gravity; lid foam may press on controls. Thin panels, poorly secured castor plates and loose rivets can fail during loaded handling. Inspect the bulk construction against the approved sample before dispatch.
Descriptions such as aluminium flight case can hide plastic-covered panels, while a generic waterproof claim may lack matching test evidence. Confirm materials and the proposed customs classification separately. Record arrival damage before unpacking and keep the damaged packing for your supplier or carrier discussion.
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 equipment flight cases from China?
The selected heading 4202 lines carry 2% to 8%. Moulded-plastic and aluminium trunk-style cases carry 4%. The supplied tariff facts record no anti-dumping or countervailing duty on these lines.
Does an aluminium frame make a flight case an aluminium case for customs?
Do not classify from the frame alone. Give your broker the complete panel construction, outer covering, photographs and intended use to confirm the appropriate line.
How do I specify custom foam for an equipment case?
Provide the equipment outline, weight, vulnerable parts and accessories. Specify foam material, firmness, lid clearance and removal access, then approve the fit using a loaded sample.
What should I check when flight cases arrive?
Check equipment fit, corners, frame alignment, rivets, latches, handles and castors. Photograph moisture or transit damage before unpacking and compare the construction with the approved sample.