Sourcing supplied-air respirators from China
Supplied-air respirators from China fall within heading 9020 and carry 0% UK duty across the relevant configurations. For sale in Great Britain, respiratory protection is category III PPE, requiring type examination and ongoing production control, with CE or UKCA marking and English instructions. Cambridge China Bridge sources supplied-air respirators.
0% duty on supplied-air breathing apparatus
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, heading 9020 covers other breathing appliances and gas masks, excluding protective masks with neither mechanical parts nor replaceable filters. Supplied-air apparatus belongs within the other breathing appliances family. See the wider respirators and breathing apparatus guide.
The supplied tariff line 9020 00 90 99 carries 0% duty for goods from China. The file lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls for this line. The table describes product configurations within the same tariff line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.
Confirm the commodity code against the complete assembly and intended use, especially when importing parts separately. Give your broker the component list and technical description. For the illustrative order calculation, see UK import duty and VAT.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-face supplied-air respirator sets | 9020 00 90 99 | 0% | None |
Specify the complete air supply and wearer assembly
Specify a full-face mask, half mask, hood or helmet, together with the regulator, belt, supply hose and couplings included in the order. State constant-flow or demand operation, hose length and bore, inlet pressure range, airflow, connector design and cleaning method. Ask the factory to identify the exact component combinations covered by its certification.
For sale in Great Britain, confirm with the relevant product safety authority the applicable PPE category and whether type examination, ongoing production control, CE or UKCA marking with the relevant body's number, a declaration of conformity and English instructions are required. Match these documents to the ordered assembly. The importer must identify itself by name and postal address on the equipment.
HSE advises that airline apparatus should have an adequate supply of clean compressed breathing air before use. Agree how the customer's air supply will be checked and how airflow will be demonstrated with the ordered hose fitted. Use testing and certification to organise the documentary and test checks.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of full-face supplied-air respirator sets under 9020 00 90 99, invoiced at £10,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,900, so it is £2,180. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Documents: check the type-examination certificate, production-control evidence and declaration against the actual mask or hood, regulator, hose and couplings.
Air delivery: measure airflow and check regulator operation using the specified inlet conditions and hose assembly. Test any supplied low-flow warning according to the manual.
Connections: check coupling engagement, hose damage, seals and leakage. Compare connector dimensions with the approved sample and the customer's supply connection.
Wearer assembly: inspect visor clarity, harness adjustment, valves and hood seams. Check English instructions and conformity marking. For tight-fitting facepieces, arrange wearer fit testing at selection; arrival inspection does not establish individual fit.
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What goes wrong
Watch for certificates covering a different assembly, substituted couplings, damaged hoses, sticking regulators and scratched visors. A kit may connect to the customer's air line yet fail to deliver enough air. HSE warns that insufficient supplied air may leave the wearer inadequately protected.
Approve the complete assembly rather than an isolated facepiece. Record the component identities and test conditions, then compare the shipment with that record. Include hose and connection checks in the quality inspection brief.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For components and parts, see sourcing for manufacturers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on supplied-air respirators from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 0% duty under 9020 00 90 99, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control.
Can I sell CE-marked supplied-air respirators in Great Britain?
Before sale, confirm with the relevant product safety authority the applicable PPE category, conformity assessment and documentation requirements, including whether type examination and ongoing production control are needed.
Can I connect an imported respirator to my existing compressor?
Check the complete connection, regulator and hose arrangement against the manual. Confirm an adequate supply of clean breathing air and demonstrate airflow under the intended operating conditions.
Do supplied-air masks need face fit testing?
Tight-fitting facepieces should be fit tested for the wearer at selection. Match the supplied make, model, type and size to the facepiece used in the successful test.