Sourcing roller skates from China
Roller skates and the listed skate-parts line carry 2% UK duty from China, so the selected range is uniformly 2%. Consumer skates supplied in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Specify fit, wheels, brakes and secure fixings before production. Cambridge China Bridge sources roller skates.
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Roller skates: 2% duty on the selected lines
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 21 November 2026, heading 9506 covers sports and outdoor-game equipment. Roller skates, including skating boots with skates attached, fall under 9506 70 30 00. The table repeats this code for different skate constructions; these are not separate tariff subdivisions. The parts and accessories line is 9506 70 90 00, subject to confirmation for the actual component.
The selected lines carry 2% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions recorded. Both attach cat and dog fur import and export controls: such fur and products made from it are banned from import and export. Specify linings and trims without these materials. The tariff also attaches a DCMS export licence control; ask your customs broker to confirm its relevance to any onward export.
Confirm the commodity code against the finished skates and any separately supplied components before ordering. For another product family within the wider heading, see skateboard sourcing.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quad roller skates with attached boots | 9506 70 30 00 | 2% | None |
| Roller-skate parts and accessories, subject to classification | 9506 70 90 00 | 2% | None |
Specify boot fit, wheel construction and braking
Define quad or inline construction, intended skating surface, user group and intended user weight range. Specify boot internal dimensions, liner materials, ankle support, closure design and adjustment mechanism. Approve physical samples across the ordered size range rather than relying on a size label. Record wheel material, diameter, hardness, hub construction, bearing fit, frame material and axle retention.
Agree brake or toe-stop material, mounting, adjustment and replacement compatibility. Toy safety guidance excludes certain listed products from its scope; ask a testing adviser to assess the intended users and play or sporting use before agreeing the testing and marking approach.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 24 pairs of roller skates under 9506 70 30 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £350 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,850. Duty at 2% is £57. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,907, so it is £581.40. Import taxes total £638.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £57 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit and closures: check internal fit against approved samples, stitching, liner seams, buckle engagement and size-adjustment locking throughout its travel.
Wheels and running gear: check wheel alignment, rotation, sideways play, axle security and frame attachment. Compare wheel material and hardness with the agreed specification.
Braking and structure: check brake or toe-stop attachment, ground clearance, accessible sharp edges and boot-to-frame movement using the agreed inspection method.
Arrival and records: check matched pairs, size assortments, transport damage, instructions and model identification. Record findings through the inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A correct size label can conceal a short liner or narrow toe box. Wheels may rub the frame, bearings may bind after axle tightening, and adjustable boots may slip out of their selected position. Loose frame fixings and inconsistent brake clearance can remain hidden in product photographs.
Approve an assembled sample and retain the component specification. Require written approval for changes to wheels, liners, buckles and brake materials. Check that replacement wheels and stops actually fit the delivered model, and repeat functional checks on arrival.
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 roller skates from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 2% for roller skates under 9506 70 30 00 and skate parts and accessories under 9506 70 90 00, with no recorded anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension.
Can I use the factory's roller-skate size chart?
Use it as a starting point. Agree internal boot dimensions and compare physical samples across the ordered sizes. Check liner thickness, toe room and closure adjustment.
Do children's roller skates need a toy-safety assessment?
Ask a testing adviser to assess the intended users and whether the model is for play or sport. Official toy guidance excludes certain listed products, so agree the applicable route before approving markings.
What should I test when roller skates arrive?
Check fit, closure security, size-adjustment locking, wheel rotation and alignment, axle retention, frame attachment and brake mounting against the approved sample and inspection specification.