Sourcing rimless spectacle frames from China
Rimless spectacle frames and their parts under heading 9003 carry 0% UK duty from China across all supplied lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty listed. Frames intended for corrective lenses are generally medical devices, so check conformity and registration before sale. Cambridge China Bridge sources rimless spectacle frames.
0% duty on rimless frames and parts
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 9003 covers spectacle frames, mountings and their parts. For rimless products, distinguish complete mountings from separately supplied bridges, temples and fastening parts, then identify their materials. Finished spectacles with lenses fall under heading 9004. The wider spectacle-frame guide covers the whole frame family.
All supplied lines carry 0% duty from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions listed. The non-plastic frame and parts lines carry CITES import and export control flags. For species listed in CITES annexes A, B or C, obtain the relevant permit; ask your customs broker to confirm applicability and the Chinese export paperwork before shipment.
The tariff also attaches a supplementary-unit import measure to 9003 90 00 20. Confirm the declaration requirement with your customs broker. This line specifically covers titanium-alloy parts, rather than every metal spare part. Confirm the commodity code using the material specification and the condition in which the goods will arrive.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base-metal rimless spectacle frames and mountings | 9003 19 00 40 | 0% | None |
| Rimless spectacle frames and mountings of other non-plastic materials | 9003 19 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Titanium-alloy spectacle-frame parts, including temples and bolts | 9003 90 00 20 | 0% | None |
| Other spectacle-frame parts for rimless assemblies | 9003 90 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the lens fastening system
Agree the bridge width, temple length, lens shape template and drilling pattern. Specify whether the lens connection uses screws, sleeves or push-fit bushes, together with the compatible lens materials and thickness range. Ask for assembly instructions and a sample that your glazing workshop can fit using the intended lenses.
Record the alloy for each component, not just a claim that the frame is titanium. Specify nose-pad material, hinge design, finish and replacement fasteners. For corrective-lens frames, confirm with the medicines regulator whether a manufacturer's declaration of conformity, CE or UKCA marking, a UK responsible person and registration are required before placing the product on the Great Britain market.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 10,000 titanium-alloy rimless-frame bolts, illustrative order under 9003 90 00 20, invoiced at £1,500 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,400, so it is £480. 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
Lens connections: assemble samples with the agreed lenses and check hole alignment, sleeve seating, lens movement and cracking around drilled holes.
Fit and movement: compare bridge and temple dimensions with the approved drawing; check symmetry, nose-pad adjustment and hinge movement.
Materials and finish: verify claimed titanium composition, inspect contact surfaces for burrs and coating defects, and obtain nickel-release evidence for metal parts in prolonged skin contact.
Documents and spares: match the model and manufacturer to the conformity documents and registration; check that replacement screws, bushes and nose pads fit the production frames. Arrange testing and certification around the exact assembly.
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What goes wrong
A rimless mounting can look correct before glazing but fail when the lenses are fitted. Misaligned holes strain the lens, unsuitable sleeves leave it loose, and overtightened fasteners can crack the drilled area. Approve a glazed sample and retain its drawing and assembly method as the production reference.
Mixed screws and bushes make repairs difficult, while coating damage or substituted alloys can undermine material claims. Inspect packed frames for bent temples, missing pads and loose fittings on arrival, and compare spare parts with the retained sample before accepting a repeat order.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on rimless spectacle frames from China?
The supplied tariff lines for rimless frames, mountings and parts carry 0% duty from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty listed.
Are rimless spectacle frames medical devices?
For frames intended for corrective lenses, confirm with the medicines regulator whether medical-device rules apply and whether conformity marking, a declaration of conformity, a UK responsible person and registration are required before sale in Great Britain.
Which code covers titanium rimless-frame parts?
9003 90 00 20 covers the specified titanium-alloy spectacle-frame parts, including temples and bolts. Complete mountings need a frame code; other parts may fall under 9003 90 00 90.
What should I test before ordering rimless frames?
Fit the intended lenses to a sample. Check drilling alignment, fastening security, cracking around holes, hinge movement, dimensions and nickel-release evidence for skin-contact metal parts.