Sourcing tennis rackets from China
Tennis rackets from China carry 4% UK duty, whether strung or unstrung, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty in the supplied tariff record. Consumer rackets sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Agree frame construction, grip and stringing before production. Cambridge China Bridge sources tennis rackets.
4% duty on tennis rackets
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, tennis rackets under 9506 51 00 00 carried 4% duty on goods from China, whether strung or unstrung. Heading 9506 covers sports and exercise equipment more broadly. The buying variants in the table share the same tariff line; they are not separate classifications.
The supplied tennis-racket line records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. It attaches a cultural-goods export licence entry. Official guidance concerns exports of cultural objects from Great Britain. Ask your customs broker to confirm how the entry applies if handling historic or collectable rackets.
Confirm the commodity code against the actual product before ordering. For other racket types within the wider heading, see the padel racket guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult tennis rackets, strung | 9506 51 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the frame, grip and stringing
State frame material and construction, racket length, head shape, finished weight, balance point, grip size and grip covering. Distinguish a carbon-composite frame from a frame with a decorative carbon finish. Agree tolerances and keep an approved finished sample for comparison.
For strung rackets, specify string material, string pattern and tension, plus grommets, bumper strip and replacement parts. Agree artwork, paint finish and individual protection inside cartons. Consumer rackets sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use; review frame breakage, sharp edges and loose components before approving production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 500 strung tennis rackets; quantity, FOB value and freight are illustrative under 9506 51 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 4% is £700. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £18,200, so it is £3,640. Import taxes total £4,340; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £700 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Frame: check alignment, cracks, exposed fibres, sharp edges and the finish around the throat and string holes.
Dimensions and handling: measure length, weight, balance and grip size against the specification, using samples from different cartons.
Stringing and grip: check the string pattern, agreed tension, grommet seating, bumper attachment, grip wrapping and butt-cap security.
Packing: open arrival cartons and check protection, rubbing damage, model identification and quantities against the packing list. Plan the checks using our inspection guide.
What goes wrong
A racket can match the sample's appearance while feeling different because its weight, balance or grip has changed. Other faults include uneven stringing, strings cutting into poorly seated grommets, loose butt caps, paint flaking and cracked frames concealed by the finish.
Require approval before changes to frame construction, strings or grip materials. Compare production samples with the approved racket, agree practical durability checks and retain records identifying the inspected batch. Packing should separate painted frames and protect the head and handle.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on tennis rackets from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 4% for 9506 51 00 00, whether strung or unstrung, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Do unstrung tennis rackets have a different duty rate?
No. The tennis-racket line expressly covers rackets whether or not strung, at 4%.
What safety rule applies when selling tennis rackets in Great Britain?
Consumer rackets must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.
What should I send a tennis-racket factory for a quote?
Send frame construction, length, head shape, weight, balance, grip size, stringing specification, artwork, packing requirements and an approved reference sample.