Sourcing steel hand punch needles from China
Steel hand punch embroidery needles from China carry a flat 2% UK duty, with no listed anti-dumping duty or steel measure. Consumer products sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Check yarn passage, tip finish and needle retention. Cambridge China Bridge sources steel hand punch needles.
UK duty on steel hand punch needles
Heading 7319 covers iron or steel needles and similar articles for use in the hand, alongside pins. For hand punch needles used for embroidery, 7319 90 10 00 is the line to check. The table shows product variants within that line, rather than separate tariff lines. Confirm the classification of a complete handled tool or mixed kit from its construction and contents.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, all listed heading 7319 lines carried 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, no steel measure, no suspensions and no attached import controls.
Send your broker photographs, material details, intended use and the packing list to confirm the commodity code. See hand embroidery needles for related needle products and UK import duty and VAT for the calculation method.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel hand punch embroidery needles for fine thread | 7319 90 10 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the yarn path and needle mounting
State steel type, finish, needle length, outside diameter, bore, eye position and tip shape. Identify the intended yarn and backing fabric, and approve a sample used with both. For handled tools, specify exposed needle length, adjustment method, grip shape, needle retention and replacement-needle compatibility. Agree pack contents, protective caps and illustrated threading instructions.
Consumer products sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Use packaging that contains the sharp point. Ask the relevant authority to confirm requirements for identifying the producer's name and address and the product reference or applicable batch on the product or packaging. If marketed as a children's craft kit, ask the authority whether toy safety rules apply to the whole kit.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of boxed steel hand punch embroidery needles for a craft retailer under 7319 90 10 00, invoiced at £16,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,200. Duty at 2% is £344. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £17,544, so it is £3,508.80. Import taxes total £3,852.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £344 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Tip and yarn passage: inspect the tip, eye and hollow bore for burrs, bends and blockage; thread the agreed yarn and check that it feeds without snagging or fraying.
Mounting and adjustment: fit replacement needles to the approved handle; check that the needle stays secure and the depth setting does not slip during use.
Stitch trial: work on the agreed backing fabric and compare penetration, loop formation and fabric damage with the approved sample.
Finish and packing: check for rust, flaking plating and rough surfaces; verify needle assortment, pack contents, caps, secure closure and batch identification against the approved artwork.
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What goes wrong
A polished exterior can hide a rough bore or eye that catches yarn. An unsuitable bore restricts feeding, while a poorly finished tip tears the backing. Loose mounting or slipping adjustment changes loop height. Replacement needles may look similar but fail to seat in the buyer's handle.
Keep the approved needle, handle, yarn and backing together as the inspection reference. Repeat the threading and stitch trial on production samples and check arrival stock for corrosion and exposed points. Use the quality inspection guide to plan checks before shipment and on receipt.
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 steel hand punch needles from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 2% for 7319 90 10 00, the sewing, darning or embroidery needle line, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm that your product fits the description.
Which yarn should I send with a punch needle sample?
Send the yarn and backing fabric you intend customers to use. Approve the needle only after checking threading, free yarn movement, loop formation and damage to the backing.
How do I check replacement punch needles fit?
Give the factory the approved handle and mounting details. Trial-fit production needles, check their seating and retention, and stitch with them before accepting the batch.
What safety rules apply when selling punch needles?
Consumer products sold in Great Britain must be safe under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Check sharp-point containment and traceability. For children's craft kits, confirm with the relevant authority whether toy safety rules also apply.