Sourcing shaver foil heads from China

Parts duty for replacement foil heads

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 8510 covers shavers, hair clippers and hair-removing appliances with a self-contained electric motor, and their parts. Replacement shaver foils and foil heads are covered here as parts rather than complete appliances. For complete machines, see shavers and hair clippers.

The parts line 8510 90 00 00 carries 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. The table shows different foil-head forms under the same parts line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

Confirm the commodity code using photographs, the assembly drawing and a description of what is supplied. State whether the shipment contains foils alone, framed heads or foil-and-cutter assemblies.

Foil geometry, cutter pairing and safe fit

Specify the exact compatible shaver models, attachment points, frame dimensions, foil curvature, perforation pattern, material and surface finish. State whether cutters are included and approve the foil-and-cutter pairing. Keep an approved sample and an actual compatible shaver for comparison; a matching outline does not establish working fit.

For consumer replacement heads sold in Great Britain, the importer must ensure safety in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Assess exposed edges, foil breakage and attachment failure on the intended shaver. Where reasonable, traceability marking must identify the producer's name and address and the product reference or batch on the product or packaging.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 3,000 replacement foil heads, illustrative order only under 8510 90 00 00, invoiced at £15,000 free on board, with £1,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £16,000. Duty at 2% is £320. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £16,320, so it is £3,264. Import taxes total £3,584; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £320 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Fit: attach sampled heads to each claimed compatible model; check seating, release action, retention and clearance when running.

Foil: inspect perforations and skin-contact surfaces for burrs, splits, dents and loose edges; compare curvature and finish with the approved sample.

Cutting: test the supplied foil-and-cutter combination for pulling, uneven cutting, vibration and heat using an agreed controlled procedure.

Packing: check model references, producer details and product or batch identification; confirm protective packaging prevents crushing during shipment and arrival handling. Arrange quality inspection against the approved sample.

What goes wrong

A head can clip into place yet leave the foil rubbing against the cutter or sitting at the wrong height. Poorly finished perforations can catch hair, while distorted foils and loose frames can expose cutting surfaces. Compatibility checks should include operation, removal and refitting.

Thin foils can arrive dented when retail packs allow movement or pressure on the shaving surface. Check arrival samples before releasing stock, retain the packaging from damaged units and record whether the defect came from assembly, packing or handling.

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.