Sourcing dental chair headrests from China
Replacement dental chair headrests from China carry 0% UK duty as dental chair parts. Establish whether the headrest is a replacement component or a medical device: spare parts for UKCA-marked devices are usually outside device status unless they significantly change performance. Cambridge China Bridge sources replacement dental chair headrests.
Duty on replacement dental chair headrests
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 October 2026, heading 9402 covers dental furniture and its parts. Dental chair parts under 9402 10 00 00 carry 0% duty from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension listed. The table shows headrest variants sharing this tariff line. Confirm the classification of separately supplied pads using finding your commodity code.
The tariff attaches a torture and repression import prohibition and cat and dog fur import control. Listed torture goods are prohibited; cat and dog fur and products containing it cannot be imported or sold in Great Britain. Specify upholstery without such fur. Ask your customs broker to confirm how the attached controls apply to the declared headrests.
The tariff also lists cultural-object export licensing, torture and repression export restrictions and cat and dog fur export control. Confirm these entries with your broker if exporting or re-exporting. See dental treatment chairs for complete chairs and UK import duty and VAT for the calculation method.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replacement dental chair headrest assemblies | 9402 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the headrest against the actual chair
Give the factory the chair manufacturer, model, revision and photographs of the removed headrest and mounting socket. Specify stem profile, insertion depth, mounting-hole positions, adjustment travel, cushion shape, cover material and colour. State whether the supply includes the pad, stem, joint, release lever and fixing hardware. Approve a fitted sample on the intended chair before ordering.
For Great Britain, official guidance says replacement components for an already UKCA-marked device are usually not medical devices unless they significantly change its characteristics or performance. Accessories are classified as medical devices in their own right. Obtain the supplier's intended-purpose statement and establish which route applies. Where supplied as a medical device, settle conformity marking and registration before sale.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 200 replacement dental chair headrests; illustrative order, not a quotation under 9402 10 00 00, invoiced at £5,000 free on board, with £400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,400, so it is £1,080. 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
Fit: install a sample on the specified chair and check insertion, retention, clearance and removal without improvised adaptors.
Locking: move through the agreed adjustment range and check that the joint holds the buyer's specified test load without slipping; inspect the release lever and exposed pinch points.
Upholstery: compare shape and firmness with the approved sample; inspect seams and wipe the cover with the clinic's intended disinfectants to check for cracking, colour transfer or peeling.
Delivery: check stems for bending, threads for damage and pads for compression marks. Match model references and included fixings to the order at quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A headrest can resemble the original while its stem profile or locking interface differs. A loose fit, joint that creeps under load or lever that catches the chair back makes the replacement unsuitable. Define compatibility by a fitted sample and drawing rather than a photograph or a claim that it is universal.
Other rejection points include uneven foam, seams across contact areas, covers damaged by the clinic's cleaning products and missing fixing hardware. Record the approved material and assembly details so that a repeat order does not quietly change the fit or cleaning performance.
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 replacement dental chair headrests from China?
Dental chair parts under 9402 10 00 00 carry 0% duty from China. The supplied tariff data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension.
Do replacement dental chair headrests need UKCA marking?
Not automatically. Spare parts for an already UKCA-marked device are usually not medical devices unless they significantly change its characteristics or performance. Establish the intended purpose and accessory status.
How do I check that a replacement headrest fits?
Match the chair model and revision, stem profile, insertion depth and locking interface. Fit an approved sample to the actual chair and check retention and adjustment before ordering.
What should I check on the headrest upholstery?
Check cushion shape, firmness, seams and cover finish against the approved sample. Test wiping with the clinic's intended disinfectants and inspect for cracking, peeling and colour transfer.