Sourcing PVC garden hoses from China
The relevant PVC garden hose and plastic fitting lines carry 6% UK duty for goods from China, with no listed trade remedies. For sale in Great Britain, consumer hoses must be safe in normal and reasonably foreseeable use. Specify reinforcement, dimensions and connector fit. Cambridge China Bridge sources PVC garden hoses.
UK duty on PVC garden hoses
Heading 3917 covers plastic tubes, pipes, hoses and their fittings. For PVC garden hoses, the distinction is between unreinforced hose without fittings, unreinforced hose with fittings, and other hose, including reinforced constructions. The separate plastic fittings row is for fittings imported separately.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 October 2026, the selected lines all carry 6% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for these lines. Controls on unrelated products elsewhere in the heading should not be applied to garden hoses.
Give your customs broker the material specification, reinforcement details, photographs and whether fittings are attached. Confirm the line using finding your commodity code. For the wider plastic hose family, see PVC suction hose.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unreinforced plastic garden hose without fittings | 3917 32 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Unreinforced plastic garden hose with fittings | 3917 33 00 90 | 6% | None |
| Other plastic hose, including reinforced garden hose | 3917 39 00 99 | 6% | None |
| Separate plastic hose fittings, other | 3917 40 00 99 | 6% | None |
Specify the hose wall, braid and connector
Write the inner diameter, wall thickness, coil length, PVC formulation and reinforcement construction into the order. Identify the approved sample and agree tolerances. Specify whether connectors are supplied loose or fitted, their mating profile, seals and the intended tap connection. Compare hose weight and cut sections against the sample to spot a thinner wall or changed braid.
Separate working-pressure claims from burst-pressure claims. Agree the test method, water temperature and acceptance criteria before production. Ask for evidence for sunlight resistance, cold flexibility and any drinking-water claim rather than relying on packaging wording. For ordinary watering stock, keep the intended use explicit.
For consumer sale in Great Britain, importers must ensure the product is safe under normal and reasonably foreseeable use. Relevant risk information must be supplied to consumers. UK REACH restrictions can also apply to substances in articles; ask for formulation information and have a testing adviser assess which restrictions are relevant to the hose and fittings.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small-business order of reinforced PVC garden hose coils under 3917 39 00 99, invoiced at £1,907 free on board, with £1,272 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,179. Duty at 6% is £190.74. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,369.74, so it is £673.95. Import taxes total £864.69; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £190.74 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Dimensions: measure coil length, bore and wall thickness against the order, and compare cut sections with the approved reinforcement sample.
Pressure and fit: test filled hose assemblies using the agreed method; check leaks, connector retention, seal seating and fit with the specified mating parts.
Handling: uncoil samples, bend them and check recovery, kinking, surface cracking and connector movement. Check that cartons protect the coils without crushing them.
Traceability: check the producer name and address and the product or batch reference on the hose or packaging, where reasonable to provide them. Keep carton counts and inspection records linked to that batch.
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What goes wrong
A sample can bend easily while the shipment has a different formulation, thinner wall or less reinforcement. Appearance alone does not establish pressure performance. Keep the approved sample, material description and agreed test results together, and inspect production goods before dispatch.
A hose that fits the factory's connector may leak with the buyer's tap adaptor. Send the actual mating parts for assembly checks. Distinguish a loose accessory pack from a fitted assembly when describing the shipment, and investigate any mismatch between the invoice, packing list and goods.
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 PVC garden hoses from China?
The selected garden hose and separate plastic fitting lines carry 6% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff data lists no trade remedies, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines.
Which commodity code covers reinforced PVC garden hose?
3917 39 00 99 is the relevant candidate for ordinary reinforced plastic garden hose. Give your broker the construction details and fittings information to confirm classification.
How do I check whether the hose will leak?
Test the hose with the actual mating connectors and tap adaptor. Agree pressure, temperature and acceptance criteria in advance, then check leaks, seals and connector retention on production samples.
What safety information should accompany garden hoses?
For consumer sale in Great Britain, provide relevant information about non-obvious risks and precautions. Include producer identification and a product or batch reference on the product or packaging where reasonable.