Sourcing sunglasses and safety glasses from China
Sunglasses, safety spectacles and goggles from China pay 2% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. Under the retained PPE regulation, eye damage from sunlight is a category I risk, so sunglasses are self-certified PPE, while safety eyewear against other risks is category II and needs an approved body. Cambridge China Bridge sources own-brand sunglasses and safety eyewear.
Sunglasses and safety spectacles pay 2% UK duty from China. Sunglasses are category I PPE; safety eyewear is category II and needs a notified body.
Duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, sunglasses with optically worked lenses, sunglasses with plastic lenses, and other spectacles and goggles with plastic lenses carried 2% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Frames and lenses bought separately have their own codes; confirm the commodity code for the form you import.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunglasses with lenses optically worked | 9004 10 10 00 | 2% | None |
| Sunglasses with lenses of plastics | 9004 10 91 00 | 2% | None |
| Other spectacles and goggles with lenses of plastics (for example safety) | 9004 90 10 00 | 2% | None |
Sunglasses and safety eyewear are PPE
Annex I of Regulation 2016/425, as it applies in Great Britain, lists damage to the eyes due to exposure to sunlight, other than during observation of the sun, among the category I risks. Sunglasses are therefore personal protective equipment in category I, which the manufacturer can self-certify, usually against the sunglasses standard, with the filter category marked on the frame.
Safety spectacles and goggles against impact, chemicals or dust protect against category II risks, which need type examination by an approved body before the UKCA mark is applied. Ask the factory for the certificate and test reports for the exact model; the cycle helmet guide and the medical and PPE guide cover PPE routes.
Lenses and frames
Specify the lens material, UV protection, filter category, polarisation and coatings, and the frame material and hinge. Check lens quality for distortion, filter category marking and hinge strength on samples at inspection.
Branded sunglasses sell on case and packaging as much as on the frame; approve those with the samples.
Minimums and branding
Stock frames with your logo keep minimums low; own moulds and colours raise them. Cambridge China Bridge sources own-brand sunglasses and safety eyewear, with the PPE category, certification and marking confirmed for each model. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on sunglasses from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, sunglasses and other spectacles and goggles with plastic lenses carried 2% duty from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
Are sunglasses PPE in the UK?
Yes. Annex I of the retained PPE Regulation 2016/425 lists eye damage from sunlight as a category I risk, so sunglasses are self-certified category I PPE.
What do safety glasses need?
Protection against impact, chemicals or dust is category II, so the model needs type examination by an approved body before UKCA marking.
What should be checked on sunglasses samples?
Lens distortion, UV protection and filter category marking, polarisation where claimed, and hinge strength.