Sourcing protective face shields from China
Protective face shields from China under 3926 90 60 00 carry 6% standard UK duty, or 0% where the specified plastic face-shield suspension applies. Protective equipment sold in Great Britain must meet applicable safety requirements and undergo conformity assessment. Cambridge China Bridge sources protective face shields.
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UK duty on protective face shields
Heading 3926 covers other articles of plastics, including protective face shields and visors under 3926 90 60 00. The table shows buying variants sharing this code, rather than separate tariff lines. For related protective products, see disposable surgical masks.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 15 December 2026, the face-shield line carries 6% standard duty from China, with a conditional 0% autonomous tariff suspension. This applies only to plastic face shields covering more than the eye area. Its wording excludes mixtures, preparations or products made up of different components containing these products. Have your broker confirm eligibility for the finished assembly. No anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or attached import controls are recorded for this line.
Send photographs, material details, assembly drawings and intended use to your broker to confirm the commodity code and suspension eligibility before shipment. The worked order and amounts are illustrative and use the standard rate before any confirmed suspension. See import duty and VAT for the calculation method.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic protective face shields with foam forehead pads | 3926 90 60 00 | 6% | None |
Specify coverage, optical clarity and protection
Define the intended hazard and working environment before selecting the shield. Specify visor material, thickness, coverage around the cheeks and beneath the chin, headband adjustment, forehead spacing and compatibility with glasses and other equipment. Agree whether it is disposable or reusable, and document any cleaning method claimed by the supplier.
Protective equipment for the Great Britain market must meet applicable essential safety requirements and undergo conformity assessment according to its risk category. Request model-specific assessment evidence and technical documentation. Importers must check the manufacturer's conformity assessment and provide their identification and postal address on the equipment, with alternatives where this is not possible.
Most new protective equipment placed on the Great Britain market must carry CE or UKCA marking and be supplied with a declaration of conformity and English instructions. Match the documents to the complete shield, including its headband and visor. Agree approval before changes to resin, coatings, fasteners or forehead padding.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 600 reusable protective face shields; values illustrate standard duty before any confirmed suspension under 3926 90 60 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,400. Duty at 6% is £384. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,784, so it is £1,356.80. Import taxes total £1,740.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £384 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Vision: remove protective films and inspect for haze, scratches, ripples and distortion through the normal viewing area. Compare production samples with the approved shield.
Fit and retention: adjust the headband, check forehead pressure and slippage, and try the shield with the intended glasses or other equipment. Check pivots, straps and fasteners against the approved sample.
Documents and identification: match the shield model to its conformity evidence, declaration, markings and English instructions. Check the agreed importer identification and address.
Arrival condition: inspect for bowed visors, crushed forehead pads, loose fasteners and adhesive separation. Assemble packed units and record defects using an agreed inspection plan.
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What goes wrong
A visually similar visor may use a different resin, coating or attachment system from the assessed model. A document for the visor sheet alone does not establish the performance of the complete assembly. Compare the supplied construction with the assessment evidence before approving production.
Tight packing can bow the visor, while poor film removal can leave an apparently cloudy surface. Padding adhesive can lift and headbands can slip during use. Agree checks on unpacked, assembled production samples, including cleaning trials where reuse is claimed.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on face shields from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 6% under 3926 90 60 00, with a conditional 0% suspension for specified plastic face shields. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded. Confirm suspension eligibility with your broker.
Do protective face shields need CE or UKCA marking?
Most new protective equipment placed on the Great Britain market must be CE or UKCA marked and supplied with a declaration of conformity and English instructions. Check the evidence for the finished shield.
What should I ask a Chinese face-shield factory for?
Ask for the finished model specification, visor and headband materials, intended protection, conformity evidence, declaration and instructions. Match these to an assembled sample before approving production.
How do I check reusable face shields?
Agree a cleaning method with the supplier, then inspect samples after cleaning for haze, coating damage, adhesive separation and loose fittings. Check clarity, fit and retention against the approved sample.