Sourcing rubber pessaries from China
Rubber pessaries within heading 4014 carry 0% UK duty from China, with no duty variation in the relevant line. For supply as medical devices in Great Britain, MHRA registration is required before placing them on the market. Check the intended use, rubber compound and model documentation before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources rubber pessaries.
Duty on rubber pessaries
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 4014 covers hygienic or pharmaceutical articles of vulcanised rubber other than hard rubber, with or without hard-rubber fittings. Rubber pessaries within this description use the “Other” line, 4014 90 00 00. The table shows product variants sharing that line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.
The relevant line carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. Medical-device registration remains a separate issue from the tariff rate.
Confirm the material and intended use with your broker using finding your commodity code. Do not assume a supplier's description of “rubber” establishes the classification. For another product family within this heading, see rubber breastfeeding nipple shields.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vulcanised rubber ring pessaries | 4014 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the pessary shape, compound and intended use
Define the intended use, shape, outside diameter, section thickness, flexibility and support features on an approved drawing. Identify the actual rubber compound, whether it contains natural rubber latex, and the agreed surface finish. Record whether the product is supplied sterile or non-sterile and whether reuse is intended. Ask for evidence supporting tissue-contact suitability and any cleaning or sterilisation claims.
For supply as medical devices in Great Britain, the devices must be registered with MHRA before market placement. A manufacturer outside the UK must appoint a UK responsible person. Ask for the manufacturer's identity, model-specific documentation and registration evidence. For a UKCA route, a signed declaration of conformity is required before applying the mark.
Manufacturers must hold clinical data supporting medical-device claims. Request the evidence for the pessary's stated purpose and ask the manufacturer to justify its classification and proposed market route. Agree how changes to the compound, mould or instructions will be reviewed. Our testing and certification service can help organise the document checks.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 2,000 rubber ring pessaries; FOB and freight values are illustrative under 4014 90 00 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £32,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £32,500, so it is £6,500. 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. This assumes the goods are standard-rated for VAT. Contraceptive products sold other than on prescription take the reduced rate of VAT under HMRC's VAT Notice 701/57, so check the rate for your product.
Inspection checklist
Dimensions: measure sampled pessaries against the approved drawing, checking diameter, section thickness, support openings and the match between product and pack size.
Surface and flexibility: inspect for moulding flash, rough edges, cracks, tackiness, contamination and permanent distortion; compare flexing and recovery with the approved sample.
Packaging: check individual protection, seals and any stated sterile presentation; compare batch identifiers, storage information and supplied instructions with the agreed artwork.
Documents: match the manufacturer, model and material to the approved documentation; investigate substitutions or missing records before releasing stock.
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What goes wrong
Watch for size labels that do not match measured dimensions, inconsistent stiffness between batches, rough mould joins and deformation during packing. A visually similar replacement compound may behave differently during flexing or cleaning. Freeze the approved compound and drawing in the purchase specification, and require approval before substitutions.
Generic certificates can leave the ordered model or material unsupported. Keep affected batches separate while resolving mismatches, damaged packaging or incomplete instructions. Agree a complaint and batch-tracing process with the supplier before shipment.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on rubber pessaries from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 0% for 4014 90 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control.
Do rubber pessaries need MHRA registration?
For supply as medical devices in Great Britain, registration with MHRA is required before placing them on the market. An overseas manufacturer must appoint a UK responsible person.
What should I specify when ordering rubber pessaries?
Specify shape, dimensions, flexibility, rubber compound, latex content, surface finish, packaging and intended use. Agree the sterile or non-sterile presentation and any reuse instructions.
How do I inspect rubber pessaries on arrival?
Check dimensions and size labels, smoothness, cracks, flexing recovery, packaging and batch identifiers. Match the delivered model and material to the approved documents.