Sourcing steel sewing bodkins from China

UK duty on steel sewing bodkins

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, steel sewing bodkins for hand use fall within heading 7319. The relevant line is 7319 90 90 00, covering other articles. The table shows bodkin formats sharing this code, rather than separate tariff lines.

The supplied tariff record gives 2% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, steel measure, suspension or import control on this line. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.

Confirm the commodity code using the material, hand use and actual design, especially for mixed sewing sets. See the wider sewing needles and pins guide for the other products within this heading.

Specify the eye, grip and fabric passage

State whether the bodkin uses a closed eye, a slotted eye or a gripping end. Specify the steel, finish, overall length, shaft width, eye opening, tip shape and pack contents. Supply the elastic, ribbon or cord and representative sewn casings for sample approval.

Agree how firmly the bodkin must hold the material and how easily it must pass through the casing. A broad gripping end can jam where a slim eye passes freely. Approve the finished sample, including its coating and packaging.

For consumer bodkins supplied in Great Britain, confirm the applicable general product safety requirements with the relevant authority, including whether the product or packaging needs the producer's name and address and a product reference or applicable batch identification. Agree this artwork before production.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative trial order of retail packs of steel sewing bodkins under 7319 90 90 00, invoiced at £1,200 free on board, with £344 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £1,544. Duty at 2% is £30.88. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £1,574.88, so it is £314.98. Import taxes total £345.86; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £30.88 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Eye and edges: inspect under magnification for burrs, rough slots and sharp edges; pull the intended elastic or ribbon through and check for fraying.

Grip and passage: draw the loaded bodkin through representative casings; check for slipping, snagging and a gripping end that opens during use.

Steel and finish: compare dimensions and stiffness with the approved sample; check for bending, cracks, rust, coating flakes and residue on fabric.

Packing and identification: check pack contents, secure closure, agreed artwork and batch identification. Record arrival defects against the quality inspection guide.

What goes wrong

Rough eyes cut elastic, wide ends catch on seams, and weak grips release ribbon inside the casing. A finish that looks smooth can conceal a burr at the slot or grip. Test the production sample with the buyer's actual materials rather than accepting an unloaded demonstration.

Soft shafts bend during pulling, coatings flake or stain pale fabric, and mixed packs contain the wrong shapes. Keep the approved sample and packing specification available for arrival checks, and photograph defects before separating affected stock.

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.