Sourcing seagrass storage baskets from China
Seagrass storage baskets from China carry 2% UK duty on both relevant vegetable-material lines, with no trade remedies listed. Consumer baskets sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal and reasonably foreseeable use. Specify shelf fit, drying and handle strength before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources seagrass storage baskets.
UK duty on seagrass storage baskets
Heading 4602 covers basketwork made directly to shape from plaiting materials or assembled from goods of heading 4601. Seagrass storage baskets fall within the other vegetable-material branches, subject to confirmation of their construction. The table shows open and lidded examples under the same relevant codes; these are product formats rather than separate tariff lines.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 21 October 2026, both relevant lines carry 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls on these lines. The wider heading ranges from 0% to 4%; those rates should not be applied to seagrass baskets merely because they share the heading.
Confirm the material, construction and hand-made status using finding your commodity code. Include liners, frames and other materials in the description sent to your customs broker. See the gift hamper baskets and packaging guide for the wider range, and UK import duty and VAT for the calculation.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-made seagrass storage baskets, open top | 4602 19 90 10 | 2% | None |
| Other seagrass storage baskets, open top | 4602 19 90 90 | 2% | None |
Specify shelf fit, weave and handles
Specify internal and external dimensions, including handles and the lid, against the shelf or cupboard opening. Agree acceptable variation using an approved physical sample. State whether baskets must stand upright when empty, fold for transport or nest together, and check that nesting does not distort the rim.
Describe the seagrass weave, any supporting frame, rim binding, handle attachment and removable liner. Agree the intended contents and a handle load test with the factory. Approve colour variation against physical samples rather than a colour name alone.
Consumer baskets supplied in Great Britain must be safe under normal and reasonably foreseeable use. Agree checks for protruding frame wire, sharp cut ends and loose bindings. Ask the factory to disclose drying methods and anti-mould treatments. Confirm any applicable UK REACH restrictions on dimethyl fumarate in articles with the relevant chemicals authority.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 2,000 hand-made seagrass storage baskets under 4602 19 90 10, 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 2% is £184. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,384, so it is £1,876.80. Import taxes total £2,060.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £184 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit and shape: measure baskets against the approved dimensions, place them in the intended shelf opening, check lid fit and inspect the base for rocking.
Handles and finish: repeat the agreed loaded lifting test, inspect handle attachments and rim binding, and check for sharp fibres or exposed frame ends.
Moisture and packing: check moisture against the agreed limit using a suitable calibrated method, look for mould and musty odours, and unpack nested baskets for crushing or abrasion.
Traceability: where reasonable, the product or packaging must identify the producer’s name and address and the product reference or applicable batch. Agree the marking artwork before production and compare it during quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A basket can match the nominal width yet fail to fit because its handles project beyond the rim. Tight nesting can flatten the weave, and a flexible base can sag under the intended contents. Check a packed and unpacked sample against the actual shelf and intended load.
Damp baskets can arrive mouldy, while handles that look secure on an empty sample can pull out when loaded. Record moisture, odour, handle and shape defects on arrival, retain affected samples and compare them with the approved sample before agreeing corrective work.
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 seagrass storage baskets from China?
The supplied tariff data gives 2% on both relevant other vegetable-material basket lines, with no trade remedies, suspensions or attached import controls listed.
Which commodity code covers hand-made seagrass baskets?
4602 19 90 10 is the hand-made branch for other vegetable-material basketwork. Confirm the actual materials and construction; the other branch is 4602 19 90 90.
How do I reduce mould in seagrass baskets?
Agree drying and moisture acceptance criteria before production. Inspect before packing and on arrival for dampness, mould and musty odours, and ask the factory to disclose any anti-mould treatment.
What should I test on a basket sample?
Check shelf fit including handles, lid fit, base stability and loaded handle strength. Inspect the weave, bindings and frame ends, then check whether nesting changes the shape.