Sourcing steel knitting needles from China

Steel knitting needles: 2% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 24 October 2026, heading 7319 covers iron or steel hand sewing needles, knitting needles, crochet hooks and similar articles, plus safety pins and other pins. Steel hand knitting needles fall within 7319 90 90 00. The table shows product variants sharing that commodity line.

The supplied tariff snapshot lists 2% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, steel measure, suspension or attached import control on this line. Import VAT is normally 20%. See UK import duty and VAT for the calculation method.

Confirm the commodity code using the material and hand use. Plastic, bamboo and aluminium knitting needles are classified by their material. For related hand tools within the wider heading, see crochet hooks from China.

Specify diameter, tips and steel finish

State whether the needles are straight or double-pointed, the steel grade, diameter, usable length, tip profile, surface finish and pack contents. Agree dimensional tolerances and how the factory will measure them. For straight needles, specify the end stop and its attachment. Approve samples using the yarn types your customers will use.

Consumer knitting needles sold in Great Britain must be safe under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Plan secure packaging that contains the points. Where reasonable, the product or packaging must identify the producer's name and address and the product reference or applicable batch. Agree the label artwork before production.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of assorted retail packs of straight steel knitting needles under 7319 90 90 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

Dimensions: measure shaft diameter and usable length against the approved specification, check matching needles and compare size markings with measurements.

Tips and finish: inspect for burrs, hooked points, scratches and peeling plating. Knit with sample needles to check that yarn slides without snagging.

Straightness and stops: check for bent shafts and test attached end stops against the agreed retention check. Compare handling with the approved sample.

Packing and identification: count pack contents, check for mixed sizes, exposed points and loose needles, and verify agreed producer and batch details. Use a documented quality inspection plan.

What goes wrong

A smooth-looking needle can still snag yarn at a burr or damaged tip. Diameter variation changes the feel of a matched set; bent shafts and loose end stops make needles awkward to use. Plated steel can arrive with rust spots, scratches or flaking where packing allows metal surfaces to rub.

Keep an approved sample and written acceptance criteria for each size and finish. Inspect across the shipment rather than relying on the factory's display samples. Separate packs with mixed sizes or damaged points before putting stock on sale.

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.