Sourcing Reversible Zips from China
Reversible zips from China carry 0% UK import duty across the supplied tariff lines, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Consumer zips sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Cambridge China Bridge sources reversible zips.
UK duty on reversible zips
Heading 9607 covers slide fasteners and their parts. Complete reversible zips are distinguished by their chain material: base metal teeth or other constructions, including plastic teeth and coil. Separately supplied parts have their own lines. A reversible pull arrangement is a product specification, so describe the chain and the goods actually supplied when checking classification.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, all supplied lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. This tariff snapshot does not replace product safety checks.
Confirm the commodity code using the chain material, photographs and whether the shipment contains complete zips or separate parts. For the wider heading and separately supplied sliders, see replacement zip sliders.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reversible zips with base metal teeth | 9607 11 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Reversible zips with plastic teeth or coil | 9607 19 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Base metal parts for reversible zips, supplied separately | 9607 20 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other parts for reversible zips, supplied separately | 9607 20 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specify operation from either face
Specify chain material, closed length, tape width, tape colour, slider finish and the required pull arrangement. State whether the zip separates at the bottom and whether the pull flips over or separate pulls are accessible from either face. Reversible operation and opening from either end are different functions; demonstrate the required movement on an approved sewn sample.
Agree chain and slider compatibility, pull clearance, locking action and the position of seams beside the chain. Test the zip in the actual garment with each face outward, including insertion of the pin into the retainer box where fitted. Keep an approved sample showing acceptable colour, finish and operating resistance.
For consumer sale in Great Britain, the General Product Safety Regulations require safety in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. For metal zip parts intended for direct and prolonged skin contact, confirm applicable UK REACH nickel-release requirements with the relevant authority rather than relying solely on the published metal-trims guide. Agree testing for the actual finish and intended use through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2,500 reversible coil zips under 9607 19 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
Reversible action: move the pull between faces and operate the zip with the garment facing each way. Check that the pull clears seams without trapping tape or lining.
Chain and ends: check tooth or coil alignment, slider fit, stops and any separating pin and box. Close the zip fully and check for gaps or separation behind the slider.
Tape and finish: compare each face with the approved colour sample. Check tape distortion, plating coverage, burrs, loose pulls and finish rubbing onto fabric.
Sewn performance: operate sampled zips in the intended fabric, then repeat after the agreed care treatment. Record snagging, colour transfer and changes in operating resistance using the quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A supplier may send an ordinary slider with a different pull instead of a working reversible assembly. A pull that works on a loose zip can foul a seam after sewing. Mismatched sliders can feel smooth initially but leave the chain open behind them, while poorly aligned pins and boxes make a separating zip difficult to start.
Colour can match on the outward face but differ on the reverse. Plating can rub through around the pull hinge, and tape can distort after washing. Approve the sewn construction and care trial before production, then compare arrival samples with the retained approved sample.
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 reversible zips from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot, read on 2 October 2026, gives 0% duty across heading 9607's supplied lines, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Is a reversible zip the same as a zip that opens from either end?
No. Reversible describes access to the pull from either face. Opening from either end is a separate function. Show the factory the required movement on a sewn sample.
Can I fit a reversible slider to an existing zip?
Only after checking the actual chain and slider together. Match chain construction, dimensions and locking behaviour, then test closure under the intended load.
Do reversible metal zips need nickel testing?
For metal parts intended for direct and prolonged skin contact, confirm applicable UK REACH nickel-release requirements with the relevant authority. Agree evidence for the supplied finish and intended contact conditions.