Sourcing trekking poles from China
Trekking poles from China carry 2% UK import duty under heading 6602, for both hand-made and other goods. Poles sold for hiking without medical claims fall under general product safety rules in Great Britain and must be safe. Specify shaft construction and test the locks on production samples. Cambridge China Bridge sources trekking poles.
UK import duty on trekking poles
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6602 covers walking sticks, seat-sticks, whips, riding crops and the like. Its hand-made and other lines both carry 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff facts show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. The table groups trekking-pole designs within these commodity lines.
The tariff attaches CITES and seal-product import controls and a torture-goods import prohibition. For protected-species materials, confirm the species-specific CITES permit requirements with your customs broker before shipment. Seal products imported for trade into Great Britain need a seal catch certificate; ask your broker to confirm exemption eligibility. Goods on the prohibited torture-goods list cannot be imported or exported. Have your broker check the actual materials and design against the attached controls.
The tariff also lists CITES export control and a torture-goods export restriction; confirm the requirements before any onward export. Agree the commodity code using the finished pole, its construction and intended use. See the walking sticks and seat-sticks guide for the wider heading, and the duty and VAT guide for the calculation method.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-made trekking poles | 6602 00 00 10 | 2% | None |
| Other trekking poles, telescopic aluminium | 6602 00 00 90 | 2% | None |
Specify shafts, locks and ground tips
Specify aluminium alloy or carbon-fibre construction, tube diameter and wall thickness, extended and packed length, weight, and whether the pole telescopes or folds. Define the lever or twist lock, folding-joint retention and internal cord. Specify grip material, wrist-strap stitching, tip material, removable rubber caps and basket attachment. State whether the retail pack contains individual poles or pairs.
For sale in Great Britain, hiking poles without medical claims fall under general product safety rules and must be safe. Agree load and repeated-operation tests for the finished design, including wet locks and the longest permitted extension. Ask for reports identifying the tested model and components. Keep packaging, instructions and online claims consistent with the intended hiking use.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 3,000 aluminium trekking poles (illustrative) under 6602 00 00 90, invoiced at £9,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,900. Duty at 2% is £198. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,098, so it is £2,019.60. Import taxes total £2,217.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £198 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Locks: extend samples to the marked limit, adjust each lock and apply the agreed load. Check for sliding sections, rotating joints and levers that open unexpectedly.
Shafts and joints: compare dimensions and weight with the approved sample. Check straightness, dents, exposed fibres, joint play and whether folding sections seat fully.
Grips and straps: pull and twist the grips, check strap adjustment and stitching, and inspect contact surfaces for sharp edges or adhesive residue.
Tips and packs: check tip retention, rubber-cap fit and basket security. Confirm pack contents, extension markings and instructions match the approved specification.
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What goes wrong
A sample can lock securely while production poles slip because tube dimensions or clamp parts have changed. Folding joints may remain partly seated, grips can rotate, and loose tips or baskets can detach. Compare production samples with the approved components and repeat the agreed checks before release.
Avoid accepting an unsupported load claim or approving medical wording for a range developed as hiking equipment. Write the permitted extension and locking procedure clearly. Arrange testing and certification support around the actual model and materials, and use an agreed inspection brief for the shipment.
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 trekking poles from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 2% under both 6602 00 00 10, hand-made, and 6602 00 00 90, other, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
Are trekking poles treated as medical devices?
Hiking poles sold without medical claims fall under general product safety rules. If you intend to market them as mobility aids for injury or disability, review the medical-device route before approving claims.
What should I specify for folding trekking poles?
Specify packed and extended length, shaft construction, joint fit, cord retention, latch operation and the agreed load test. Check that production sections seat fully and stay locked.
How do I check telescopic trekking-pole locks?
Test production samples at the longest permitted extension under the agreed load, including wet conditions. Look for sliding tubes, rotating sections and lever locks that release unexpectedly.