Sourcing umbrella frames and parts from China
Umbrella frames, including frames mounted on shafts, and handles, knobs, ribs, runners, tips and other parts and accessories of umbrellas and walking sticks from China pay 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. Frames are bought on rib material and count, shaft, open mechanism and wind resistance, and plastic or rubber handles must meet the UK REACH PAH limits.
Umbrella frames, ribs, shafts, handles, runners and tips from China pay 0% UK duty. Rib materials, auto-open mechanisms, PAH limits and wind testing.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, parts, trimmings and accessories of umbrellas, sun umbrellas, walking sticks and seat-sticks, heading 6603, carried 0% on goods from China on every line: umbrella frames including frames mounted on shafts, handles and knobs, and other parts. No line carried an anti-dumping measure.
Complete umbrellas and parasols are covered in our umbrellas and parasols guide. Canopy fabric supplied separately is classified as fabric, so confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Umbrella frames, including frames mounted on shafts | 6603 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Handles and knobs | 6603 90 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other parts and accessories (ribs, runners, tips) | 6603 90 90 00 | 0% | None |
Materials and restricted substances
Under the UK REACH restrictions, rubber or plastic components that come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin, such as handles on umbrellas sold to consumers, must not exceed the limits for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), so ask for PAH test reports on handle materials and a statement on substances of very high concern.
Specifying frames and parts
Specify frame size (arc or rib length), number of ribs, rib and stretcher material (steel, fibreglass, aluminium), shaft material and diameter, manual, auto-open or auto-open-close mechanism, wind-vent or double-canopy design, handle material and shape, plating or coating, and the canopy fitting points.
Worked duty example
For a made-up shipment of 30,000 fibreglass umbrella frames under 6603 20 00 00, add the £2,000 of freight and insurance to the £36,000 free-on-board price and customs sees £38,000. Duty on umbrella frames is zero, leaving import VAT of £7,600, 20% of the customs value. For a VAT-registered buyer that is a cash-flow cost rather than a lasting one. The duty and VAT guide walks through the calculation.
Inspection checklist
Mechanism: open and close samples many times, check auto mechanisms fire and lock reliably, and check the runner slides without sticking.
Strength: flex ribs and check joints and rivets, and run a fan or wind test on assembled samples if wind resistance is claimed.
Finish: check plating and paint for rust spots and chips, handle fixing, and that parts are packed so ribs cannot bend.
What goes wrong
Umbrella part orders fail on ribs, mechanisms and rust. Thin steel ribs bend or snap in wind, rivets pull through, auto-open springs weaken, runners stick, plated parts rust, and handles loosen from the shaft.
Test mechanisms and ribs on samples, and specify coating and packing. See our quality inspection guide.
Cambridge China Bridge sources umbrella frames and parts for UK umbrella brands and assemblers, and has no minimum order of its own; the factory's minimum per frame type applies. See small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on umbrella frames from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, umbrella frames including frames mounted on shafts (6603 20 00 00) carried 0% from China.
Are umbrella handles the same rate?
Yes. Handles and knobs under 6603 90 10 00 carried 0%.
Do plastic handles need testing?
Yes. Handles in prolonged skin contact must meet the UK REACH PAH limits.
Which rib material is strongest in wind?
Fibreglass ribs flex without breaking, while thin steel ribs bend; test samples in a wind or fan test.