Sourcing shoe heel grips from China
Shoe heel grips from China carry 0% UK duty across the selected footwear-accessory and other-part lines. Importers must ensure consumer products are safe; confirm classification from the grip's construction and check animal-material controls where relevant. Cambridge China Bridge sources shoe heel grips.
Heel-grip duty and material controls
Heading 6406 includes footwear parts, removable insoles, heel cushions and similar articles. Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, all selected lines carried 0% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no listed suspensions. The table gives candidate accessory and other-part lines for broker review, rather than assigning every heel grip to the same code.
The selected lines attach CITES import and export controls, cat-and-dog-fur controls and seal-product import controls. CITES-listed animal materials need the relevant permits for movement between China and Great Britain. Cat and dog fur and products containing it cannot be imported or exported; confirm any additional UK market restrictions with the relevant authority. Seal products for sale in Great Britain must have a seal catch certificate; ask your customs broker to confirm eligibility under the Inuit and other indigenous communities’ exemption.
Give your broker the facing, cushioning and adhesive materials, photographs, fitting instructions and whether the grip is removable to confirm the commodity code. Ask the broker to check the attached controls against the actual materials. For the wider heading, see shoe soles, uppers and insoles.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removable footwear accessories, hand-made | 6406 90 50 10 | 0% | None |
| Removable footwear accessories, other | 6406 90 50 90 | 0% | None |
| Other footwear parts, hand-made | 6406 90 90 20 | 0% | None |
| Other footwear parts, other | 6406 90 90 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the heel shape, facing and adhesive
Specify the curved outline, thickness profile, cushioning material and skin-contact facing. State whether the grip sits behind the heel or beneath it, which shoe linings it should adhere to, and whether removal should leave residue. Approve samples inside the intended shoes, checking heel clearance, edge comfort and resistance to slipping.
Importers are responsible for consumer-product safety, and products should only be sold after compliance with product safety regulations has been demonstrated appropriately. For skin-contact leather and textile facings, confirm the applicable UK REACH restrictions on chromium VI and certain azo dyes. Agree material-specific checks through testing and certification, covering the actual facing, colours and adhesive construction.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small-business order of paired removable shoe heel grips for resale; values are illustrative, not a quotation under 6406 90 50 90, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £135 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,135. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,135, so it is £627. 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
Shape and fit: compare the outline and thickness with the approved sample; fit grips into intended shoes and check that edges do not fold or crowd the heel.
Adhesive: peel the release liner, apply to agreed lining materials and check for lifting, sliding and residue after removal.
Cushioning and facing: compress and flex samples; check recovery, layer separation, rough edges and colour transfer under damp rubbing.
Packing: check paired contents, orientation, fitting instructions and batch identification; inspect for exposed adhesive, stuck release liners and crushed pads.
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What goes wrong
A grip can feel soft in the hand yet make a shoe too tight behind the heel. Adhesive can hold on a smooth sample lining but lift on a textured production lining. Test the intended combinations before approving bulk production, including repeated fitting and removal where reuse is claimed.
A changed foam, facing or adhesive can alter comfort, bonding and chemical-test coverage. Release liners can detach in transit, leaving grips stuck to their packaging. Compare arrivals with the approved sample and keep affected batches separate while investigating; use the quality inspection guide to record defects.
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 shoe heel grips from China?
The selected heading 6406 accessory and other-part lines carried 0% duty on 1 October 2026, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspensions. Confirm the code for the actual construction.
Which commodity code should I use for adhesive heel grips?
Ask your broker to review the materials, fitting method and removability. The table lists candidate removable-accessory and other-part lines; the name “heel grip” alone does not settle the code.
How do I check whether heel grips will stay in place?
Fit production samples to the intended shoe linings. Check lifting and sliding during wear, then inspect the grip and lining after removal. Agree acceptable residue and reuse performance before ordering.
Do leather heel grips need chemical checks?
Confirm applicable UK REACH restrictions for chromium VI in skin-contact leather and certain azo dyes in leather or textile facings. Match test reports to the supplied materials and colours.