Sourcing vacuum flasks and insulated tumblers
Vacuum flasks, insulated bottles and vacuum tumblers from China pay 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. They are food contact articles, so the factory must show the steel, lid plastics and seals are suitable for food, and the heat retention claim on the box must be tested. Cambridge China Bridge sources own-brand and promotional flasks.
Vacuum flasks and insulated bottles pay 0% UK duty from China. Food contact evidence, steel grade, heat retention claims and branding to check.
Zero duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, vacuum flasks and other vacuum vessels, complete, and their parts other than glass inners carried 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
A single-walled bottle or cup is not a vacuum vessel and classifies under its material, so confirm the commodity code; the reusable cup guide covers cups.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacuum flasks and other vacuum vessels, complete, and parts other than glass inners | 9617 00 00 00 | 0% | None |
Food contact
Anything that holds a drink is a food contact material and must not transfer its constituents to the drink in quantities that could endanger health. Ask for the stainless steel grade for the inner wall, the plastics and silicone used in the lid and seals, and migration test reports for the finished product; the food contact materials guide sets out the documents.
Ask too how the vacuum is sealed at the base, and whether any solder or getter material is used, so the construction is part of the food contact evidence.
Heat retention and leak claims
Hours hot and hours cold are the claims customers test. Ask the factory for the test method, starting temperature and ambient conditions behind each figure, and repeat the test on production samples. Leak-proof lids need a leak test in several positions.
Check coatings for chipping and printed or laser-engraved logos for adhesion and position at inspection.
Branding and minimums
Flasks are popular branded gifts: powder coating in Pantone colours, laser engraving, and printed packaging. Minimums are set per colour and decoration; stock bodies decorated to order go lower.
Cambridge China Bridge sources own-brand and promotional flasks and tumblers, with food contact evidence, heat retention tests and decoration approved before production. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on vacuum flasks from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, vacuum flasks and vacuum vessels carried 0% duty from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
What food contact evidence should a flask factory give?
The stainless steel grade, the lid and seal materials, and migration test reports on the finished product.
How do I check heat retention claims?
Ask for the test method, starting temperature and ambient conditions behind each figure, and repeat the test on production samples.
Can flasks be branded in small quantities?
Stock bodies decorated to order allow lower minimums; custom colours and shapes raise them.