Sourcing vacuum cleaner hoses from China

Duty on replacement vacuum cleaner hoses

Heading 8508 covers vacuum cleaners and their parts. This guide focuses on replacement hose assemblies supplied separately as vacuum cleaner parts. The table shows hose configurations under the same parts code, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 7 October 2026, code 8508 70 00 00 carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for this line. Zero duty does not itself remove import VAT; see UK import duty and VAT.

Confirm the commodity code against the actual assembly, materials and intended use before ordering. Do not assume that an unfinished length of generic tubing has the same classification. For related parts within this heading, see replacement vacuum cleaner floor heads.

Specify the hose and both connection points

Give the factory the exact vacuum cleaner model, photographs and an approved original hose. Record the relaxed length, bore, cuff dimensions, locking tabs, seal position and swivel movement. State whether the order includes the handle, airflow slider, seals and machine-end connector.

Agree the hose material, reinforcement, flexibility and an inspection method for bending, stretching and pulling the cuffs. Test samples on the intended machine and wand. A matching bore alone does not establish compatibility.

Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. This guide's specification advice concerns plain suction hoses; identify any electrical contacts or conductors separately for a product-specific compliance review.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of replacement vacuum cleaner hose assemblies under 8508 70 00 00, invoiced at £8,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,200, so it is £1,840. 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: attach the hose to the named machine and wand, check that the locks engage, and confirm removal without forcing the connector.

Sealing: run the machine with the assembled hose and check cuffs, swivels and handle joints for air leaks.

Durability: bend and extend the hose using the agreed method, then inspect for splits, permanent kinks and cuffs pulling free.

Packing: check model identification, included seals and handles, and protection against crushed connectors. Compare arrivals with the approved sample.

What goes wrong

A connector can look right but have its locking tab or seal groove in the wrong position. The hose then falls out, leaks or needs excessive force to fit. Keep an approved sample and drawings for each model instead of accepting a general claim of universal compatibility.

A soft hose can collapse under suction, while a stiff hose can strain the handle joint. Check airflow during use and inspect the cuff attachment after flexing. Agree how the factory will identify and separate incompatible variants before packing.

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.