Sourcing SCBA from China
Self-contained breathing apparatus from China carries 0% UK duty under the supplied tariff line, with no listed trade remedies. Confirm its applicable PPE category and any type-examination and ongoing production-control requirements with the relevant authority before sale in Great Britain. Cambridge China Bridge sources self-contained breathing apparatus.
UK duty on self-contained breathing apparatus
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 7 November 2026, heading 9020 covers other breathing appliances and gas masks, excluding protective masks having neither mechanical parts nor replaceable filters. Self-contained breathing apparatus sits within the other breathing appliances line.
The supplied line 9020 00 90 99 carries 0% duty for goods from China. No anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty, suspension or import control is listed in the supplied facts. The table describes apparatus, parts and accessories within this same tariff line rather than separate tariff subdivisions.
Confirm the commodity code against the complete assembly and any separately supplied parts. Do not assume that a separately imported cylinder takes the apparatus code. For other equipment within this heading, see respirators and breathing apparatus.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-contained open-circuit breathing apparatus | 9020 00 90 99 | 0% | None |
Specify the complete breathing assembly
Specify the intended task, circuit type, facepiece size, seal and visor materials, cylinder capacity and working pressure, valve connection, regulator, demand valve, harness and warning alarm. Ask the factory to identify the exact assembly covered by its certification and the conditions behind its claimed operating duration.
Confirm the applicable PPE category for self-contained breathing apparatus with the relevant authority. For sale in Great Britain, ask the relevant authority to confirm the requirements for type examination, ongoing production control, the applicable UKCA or CE marking and any relevant body's number, a declaration of conformity and English instructions. Match the documents to the ordered assembly rather than accepting a certificate for a similar model.
The UK importer must check that the manufacturer has completed the required conformity assessment and include its name and postal address on the equipment, or where this is not possible, on packaging or accompanying documentation. Use testing and certification to plan the evidence review before ordering.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial batch of complete self-contained breathing apparatus under 9020 00 90 99, invoiced at £10,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,900, so it is £2,180. 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
Documents: check that certificates, the declaration, instructions and component list identify the supplied assembly. Verify the issuing body's details and compare cylinder, regulator and facepiece identifiers.
Air delivery: have a competent specialist check connections, leaks, regulator operation, demand-valve response, pressure indication and the warning alarm against the manufacturer's procedures.
Condition: inspect cylinders for visible damage, hoses for abrasion, face seals for distortion, visors for scratches and harness stitching for loose or damaged sections.
Marking and packing: compare conformity marks, body numbers, model identifiers and importer details with approved artwork. Check English instructions and protection of valves and facepieces during transit. Record discrepancies through quality inspection.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A certificate may cover a different cylinder, regulator or facepiece from the assembly delivered. Treat component substitutions as a reason to recheck the evidence. Agree that the factory must obtain your written acceptance before changing the approved component list.
Incompatible connections, damaged seals, sticking valves and an unreliable warning alarm can make an apparently complete set unsuitable for acceptance. Put affected equipment aside, document the defect and arrange specialist assessment before release. Compare claimed duration with its stated test conditions rather than accepting a catalogue figure.
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 self-contained breathing apparatus from China?
The supplied tariff line 9020 00 90 99 carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Can a factory self-certify self-contained breathing apparatus?
Ask the relevant authority to confirm the applicable PPE category, whether type examination and ongoing production control involving a conformity assessment body are required, and whether a supplier's own declaration is sufficient.
Which documents should I request before ordering?
Request the type-examination and production-control evidence, declaration of conformity, English instructions and component list for the exact assembly.
Does a replacement cylinder automatically use the same commodity code?
Do not assume so. Ask your customs broker to classify a separately imported cylinder from its description, construction and intended use.