Sourcing stainless steel lobster picks from China
Stainless steel lobster picks from China carry 8% UK duty when unplated, or 4% when plated with precious metal. Confirm applicable food-contact requirements with Trading Standards, including constituent transfer into food. Specify the steel grade and check the working ends for burrs. Cambridge China Bridge sources stainless steel lobster picks.
Duty and classification for lobster picks
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 8215 covers spoons, forks and similar kitchen or tableware. Unplated stainless steel lobster picks are candidates for 8215 99 10 00. Precious-metal-plated picks fall within 8215 91 00 00. The table includes product variants sharing a code, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.
The supplied record gives 8% duty for unplated stainless steel articles and assorted stainless steel sets, and 4% for precious-metal-plated articles from China. It lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or steel measure. The assorted-set line attaches ivory-related import control and CITES import control. For any ivory or animal-derived components, confirm the applicable requirements with your customs broker before ordering.
Confirm plating, handle materials and whether the shipment contains identical picks or assorted articles using the commodity code guide. For related tableware across the wider heading, see the stainless steel escargot tongs guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unplated stainless steel lobster picks with narrow fork ends | 8215 99 10 00 | 8% | None |
| Stainless steel lobster picks plated with precious metal | 8215 91 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Assorted stainless steel tableware sets containing lobster picks | 8215 20 10 00 | 8% | None |
Specify the fork, scoop and steel grade
Specify the steel grade, overall length, shaft thickness, weight, finish and handle shape. Supply drawings of the fork tip, tine spacing and scoop profile. Agree whether the pick is fork-ended or combines a fork with a scoop. Check that the working ends reach into lobster joints and lift meat without bending during the agreed sample trial.
Request food contact evidence for the finished pick, including metal migration testing appropriate to its intended use. Include plating, coatings and separate handle materials in the testing brief. Manufacturers and importers placing products on the UK market need to demonstrate compliance with relevant safety requirements. Use testing and certification support to agree the evidence needed before production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative catering wholesaler stock order of 10,000 unplated stainless steel lobster picks; values are illustrative, not a quotation under 8215 99 10 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,400. Duty at 8% is £272. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,672, so it is £734.40. Import taxes total £1,006.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £272 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Material: compare the material certificate with the agreed steel grade and arrange sample analysis; a magnet alone does not establish the grade.
Working ends: check tine alignment, scoop shape, shaft straightness and resistance to bending against the approved sample. Inspect tips and scoop rims for burrs without running bare fingers over sharp ends.
Surface and cleaning: compare polish and logo etching across the batch. Check for rust spots, polishing residue and hard-to-clean recesses; test any promised dishwasher performance on production samples.
Packing: check quantities, protective sleeves and carton condition on arrival. Ensure tips cannot puncture the retail pack or rub against adjacent pieces. Record findings through the inspection process.
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What goes wrong
Steel substitution can leave apparently identical picks prone to spotting after washing. Thin shafts bend when buyers use them to extract meat, while uneven fork tips and unfinished scoop rims can scratch hands or mouths. Compare production pieces with the approved sample and investigate material differences before accepting the batch.
Polishing residue can remain around stamped recesses, and loose packing allows fork ends to damage neighbouring pieces. A report for an uncoated sample does not establish that the plated or handled version was tested. Match the report description and photographs to the product actually supplied.
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 stainless steel lobster picks from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 8% for unplated stainless steel picks and 4% for precious-metal-plated picks. Assorted stainless steel tableware sets carry 8%. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is listed.
What food contact evidence should I ask the factory for?
Ask for metal migration testing relevant to the finished pick and intended use. Include plating, coatings and handle materials in the brief, and check that the report identifies the supplied version.
Does a pack of identical lobster picks count as an assorted set?
Do not assume packaging makes identical picks an assorted set. Give your broker the contents list, photographs and material details to confirm classification.
What should I check when lobster picks arrive?
Check bent shafts, misaligned tines, burrs, rust spots, polishing residue and damaged protective packing. Compare the fork and scoop profiles with the approved sample.