Sourcing table tennis bats from China

2% duty on table tennis bats

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, table tennis equipment under 9506 40 00 00 carried 2% duty for goods from China. Heading 9506 covers sports and exercise equipment; this guide concerns table tennis bats. The table shows bat variants sharing the same commodity line.

The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension for this line. It attaches a DCMS Export Licence measure concerning cultural objects. This is an export measure; confirm its relevance with your customs broker if dealing in historic bats or planning onward export.

Confirm the commodity code against the finished product and any bundled accessories before ordering. See the padel rackets guide for another product family within the wider heading. For volleyballs in a sports equipment range, see our volleyball sourcing guide.

Specify the blade, rubber and handle

State the intended playing use, blade material and construction, blade dimensions, finished weight and balance, handle shape, rubber surface and sponge thickness. Agree tolerances with the factory and retain an approved finished sample. Do not accept changes to rubber, adhesive or blade construction without written approval.

For consumer bats sold in Great Britain, the general product safety rules require safety in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Include splinters, sharp edges, loose handles and detached coverings in your safety assessment. Agree material testing with your testing and certification provider before production.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 3,000 finished table tennis bats under 9506 40 00 00, invoiced at £15,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,500. Duty at 2% is £350. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £17,850, so it is £3,570. Import taxes total £3,920; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £350 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Blade and handle: check flatness, dimensions, weight and balance against the approved sample; inspect exposed wood for splinters and check handle security.

Rubber and sponge: check surface type, thickness, trimming and adhesion; look for bubbles, lifted edges and inconsistent rebound across the face.

Finish and packing: check artwork, face protection and carton condition; open arrival cartons to look for dampness, warping and rubber surfaces stuck to packaging.

Records: match the inspected model and materials to the order, sample and test reports. Record defects with photographs using an agreed inspection checklist.

What goes wrong

A bat can look like the sample while using a different sponge or blade construction. The result is inconsistent grip, rebound or balance. Other failure points include loose handles, rough edges, rubber lifting after use and blades warping in damp cartons.

Compare production bats with the retained sample and agree practical adhesion and playing checks before shipment. Repeat those checks on arrival and keep suspect stock separate while the supplier investigates. Treat unsupported speed or spin ratings as claims to verify.

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.