Thermal ribbons and ink pads from China

0% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, typewriter or similar ribbons, inked or otherwise prepared for giving impressions, whether or not on spools or in cartridges, and ink pads, heading 9612, carried 0% on goods from China on every line, with no anti-dumping measure.

Inks and ink cartridges are covered in our printing inks guide, and toner cartridges are classified separately, so confirm the commodity code from the consumable.

Trade marks and chemicals

Compatible ribbons and cartridges can be sold for a named printer model, but packaging must not use the printer maker's trade marks or get-up in a way that suggests an original product, which risks seizure and infringement claims.

Ask for a supplier statement on substances of very high concern under UK REACH for the ink coating, and a safety data sheet for stamp pad inks.

Specifying ribbons

Specify ink grade (wax, wax-resin, resin) and the label material and printer it must suit, width and length, core diameter and notch, ink side in or out, leader and end marks, print darkness and rub or solvent resistance, and for ink pads the size, colour and ink type.

Worked duty example

Suppose, purely for illustration, you import 20,000 wax-resin thermal transfer ribbons under 9612 10 10 90. At £30,000 free on board and £1,200 to ship and insure, the customs value is £31,200. With 0% duty on thermal transfer ribbons, the only charge is import VAT: 20% of £31,200, or £6,240. VAT-registered businesses usually recover that in their next return. The method is set out in how UK import duty and VAT work.

Inspection checklist

Print test: print barcodes and text on your label stock in your printer, and check darkness, edge sharpness, barcode grade and resistance to rubbing, heat or solvents as required.

Dimensions: measure width, count metres on sample rolls, and check core size, notch and winding direction.

Packing: check rolls are sealed against dust and humidity, labelled with grade, size and lot, and packed so edges are not crushed.

What goes wrong

Ribbon orders fail on grade, length and fit. A wax ribbon is supplied for synthetic labels and smudges, rolls are shorter than labelled, the core does not fit the printer, ink side is wound the wrong way, and branded packaging leads to seizure.

Test on your own printer and labels, measure length, and check packaging artwork. See our quality inspection guide.

Cambridge China Bridge sources thermal transfer ribbons and ink pads for UK label printers and resellers, and has no minimum order of its own; the factory's minimum per size applies. See small orders.