Sourcing table lighters from China
Table lighters and their parts from China carry 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure listed. Consumer models must be safe for sale in Great Britain. Check ignition, fuel leakage and stability, and resolve CITES controls for decorative materials before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources table lighters.
Table lighter duty and import controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, heading 9613 covers lighters and their parts, excluding flints and wicks. Table lighters fall under other lighters, code 9613 80 00 00; their parts fall under 9613 90 00 00. The table separates product types sharing the same commodity line. For wider heading context, see petrol pocket lighters.
The supplied tariff record lists 0% duty for goods from China throughout this heading, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions. The other-lighters line carries CITES import and export controls. For decorative materials from listed species, confirm the required permits with APHA and your customs broker before ordering. UK Border Force checks and endorses CITES documents.
Confirm the commodity code using the finished product's fuel, ignition system and intended use. Describe separately supplied parts accurately. Import VAT is normally 20%; use the import duty and VAT guide when preparing your landed-cost calculation.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas-fuelled table lighters | 9613 80 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Table lighter parts, excluding flints and wicks | 9613 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the fuel system and tabletop base
Specify gas, liquid fuel or electric arc operation; refill method; ignition mechanism; flame adjustment; cap or shut-off arrangement; and whether the shipment contains fuel. Agree body and base materials, dimensions, weight, finish, decoration and replaceable components. Approve a sample that stands securely and can be operated without sliding across the table.
Consumer table lighters must be safe when supplied in Great Britain. For flame models, obtain safety and child-resistance evidence matching the actual mechanism rather than accepting a report for a pocket lighter with a similar appearance. Ask a testing adviser to review the model, intended use and applicable tests.
For gas lighters, confirm the dangerous-goods classification with the carrier. Agree the fuel condition, packaging and declarations with the carrier before booking. For rechargeable models, ask the carrier about applicable lithium-battery transport evidence and confirm any electrical-equipment and battery producer duties with the relevant authorities; include these questions in the compliance review.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small wholesale batch of refillable gas table lighters under 9613 80 00 00, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £590 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,590. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,590, so it is £918. 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
Base and finish: check for rocking, loose base fixings, sharp edges, peeling plating and decoration that differs from the approved sample.
Ignition and shut-off: check repeated operation, flame adjustment, cap closure and that the flame extinguishes when the mechanism is released or closed as designed.
Fuel system: have competent personnel check valves, seals, refill fittings and leakage using the agreed test method; match the mechanism to the tested model.
Packing and identity: check protective inserts, model and batch identification, instructions and agreed transport markings. Use an inspection brief covering both factory checks and arrival checks.
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What goes wrong
A heavy decorative body can conceal a loose fuel reservoir or an unstable base. Valves leak, caps fail to extinguish the flame, adjustment controls loosen and plated surfaces scratch against their packaging. Reject substitutions to the ignition mechanism or seals until the changed model has been reviewed.
Material descriptions such as natural shell or exotic wood can leave species unidentified. Obtain the material specification before approving decoration, and resolve the tariff's CITES controls with your broker. Fuel-filled samples can also be rejected by a carrier if booked without the agreed dangerous-goods arrangements.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on table lighters from China?
The supplied tariff record lists 0% for table lighters under 9613 80 00 00 and parts under 9613 90 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures.
Which commodity code covers table lighters?
Table lighters fall under other lighters, 9613 80 00 00. Separately supplied lighter parts use 9613 90 00 00, excluding flints and wicks. Confirm the finished model with your customs broker.
Can gas table lighters travel as ordinary cargo?
Confirm the dangerous-goods classification of gas lighters with the carrier. Tell the carrier whether they contain fuel and agree acceptable packaging, declarations and transport arrangements before booking.
Why does the table lighter tariff line show CITES?
The tariff attaches CITES import and export controls. Identify any animal or plant decorative material and ask APHA and your broker to confirm whether the species needs permits.