Sourcing replacement mannequin hands from China
The supplied heading has a flat 0% UK duty for goods from China, subject to confirming the classification of separately imported replacement hands. Cat and dog fur products are banned from import. Match wrist fittings, handedness and finish before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources replacement mannequin hands.
0% duty, subject to confirming the parts code
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 9618 covers tailors' dummies and other lay figures, automata and other animated shop-window displays. The supplied file contains a single commodity line, 9618 00 00 00. The table repeats that line for replacement-hand buying variants, subject to classification confirmation. For complete figures, see mannequins and dress forms.
The supplied line carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions recorded. The tariff attaches import and export controls on cat and dog fur. Imports and exports of that fur and products made from it are banned, including supplies from China. Specify hands without cat or dog fur and confirm any control declarations with your customs broker.
Before applying this rate to separately shipped hands, give your broker material details, photographs, intended display use and the wrist connection drawing. Confirm the commodity code for the actual goods. Treat the worked order as illustrative and conditional on classification confirmation. For tax calculations, see UK import duty and VAT.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fibreglass replacement left hands, subject to classification confirmation | 9618 00 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the wrist connection and hand pose
Identify the existing mannequin model and send an original hand or a dimensioned drawing of its wrist fitting. Specify left or right hand, finger pose, material, wrist profile, connector type, insertion depth and locking direction. Agree tolerances against the receiving arm rather than relying on a supplier's claim of universal fit.
Approve a painted sample fitted to the actual arm. Match colour, gloss and surface texture to the existing figure. State whether connectors are included and require separate identification of left and right hands on the packing list. Ask for a material and coating declaration.
For hands intended for or foreseeably used by consumers in Great Britain, the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 apply. Confirm the applicable product safety obligations with the relevant authority. Check exposed fittings, sharp edges and brittle fingers during sample approval.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 300 fibreglass replacement left hands, assuming confirmed classification under 9618 00 00 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £590 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,090. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,090, so it is £618. 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
Compatibility: fit sampled hands to the receiving arm and check that the connector seats fully, locks securely and releases without damaging the wrist.
Finish: compare colour and gloss with the approved sample; inspect fingertips, finger gaps and wrist edges for cracks, chips, rough seams and exposed fibres.
Assortment: check left and right quantities, poses and connector types against the order, keeping each variant identifiable.
Packing: protect fingers individually where needed, prevent movement inside the carton and check unpacked hands for concealed wrist cracks. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspector.
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What goes wrong
A hand can look correct in a photograph but fail at the wrist. An incorrect connector, locking direction or insertion depth can leave it loose or impossible to attach. Other failures include the wrong handedness, paint mismatch and fingers broken during transit.
Approve fit on the buyer's actual arm before production. Keep the fitted sample as the inspection reference, and agree acceptance checks for connector security, finish and packing. Check replacement hands on arrival before distributing them across shops.
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 mannequin hands from China?
The supplied line 9618 00 00 00 carries 0% duty, with no trade remedies recorded. Confirm that separately imported hands qualify for this code before using that rate.
Will replacement hands fit any mannequin?
Do not assume universal fit. Match the wrist profile, connector, insertion depth and locking direction, then approve a sample on your actual mannequin arm.
Can I order left and right hands separately?
Specify handedness and quantities separately in the enquiry. Ask the supplier to identify each variant clearly and check the assortment during inspection.
How should replacement mannequin hands be packed?
Protect projecting fingers and prevent the hand moving inside its carton. Keep metal connectors away from painted surfaces and inspect wrist areas after unpacking.