Sourcing white mobility canes from China
White mobility canes from China carry 2% UK duty on both tariff lines, with no anti-dumping duty. Official guidance says white canes used for protection are likely to be personal protective equipment, so confirm the intended use and conformity route before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources white mobility canes.
Buying from China for a business? How our UK China sourcing agent service works · China sourcing agent for small orders and first imports
UK duty on white mobility canes
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6602 covers walking sticks, seat-sticks, whips, riding-crops and the like. White mobility canes within this heading carry 2% duty from China under both the hand-made and other lines. The supplied tariff data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. Rigid and folding formats share these tariff lines.
The tariff attaches CITES and seal-product import controls and a torture-goods import prohibition. Materials from listed species may need CITES permits; seal products for trade need a seal catch certificate. Goods identified as prohibited under torture controls cannot be imported. The tariff also attaches CITES and torture-goods export controls. Give your customs broker the materials list and intended use to confirm requirements for the shipment from China and any onward export.
Confirm the manufacturing method and complete product description through finding your commodity code. See walking sticks and seat-sticks for the wider heading. The hypothetical order uses illustrative values taken from that guide; calculation methods are explained in UK import duty and VAT.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-made rigid white mobility canes | 6602 00 00 10 | 2% | None |
| Other rigid white mobility canes | 6602 00 00 90 | 2% | None |
Specify the shaft, folding joints and tip
Define whether the cane is for obstacle detection, identification or body-weight support. Specify assembled length, folded dimensions, shaft material, weight, grip shape, white finish and any reflective covering. For folding canes, agree joint fit, elastic-cord tension and replacement arrangements. Specify the tip shape, attachment and compatibility with replacement tips. Compare tactile feedback and handling with the approved sample.
Official guidance identifies protective white sticks as likely personal protective equipment. Confirm the route for the manufacturer's intended use before approving packaging. Ask for the relevant conformity assessment records, technical documentation, declaration of conformity and proposed CE or UKCA marking. Request English instructions explaining assembly, tip replacement, inspection and intended-use limits. Use testing and certification to review the proposed evidence.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 3,000 folding white mobility canes, illustrative order 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
Folding joints: repeatedly assemble and fold sampled canes; check that sections seat fully, remain aligned and have no loose movement or exposed sharp edges.
Tip and feedback: check secure attachment, replacement-tip fit and smooth rolling where specified; compare feedback on different surfaces with the approved sample.
Shaft and grip: check straightness, cracks, splinters, grip security and white or reflective covering for peeling, gaps and damage after handling.
Documents and packing: match the model and batch to the supplied records, check instructions against the actual cane, and inspect cartons for bent shafts or crushed joints. Plan checks using quality inspection.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
Loose folding joints, stretched cords and incompatible tips can undermine handling and obstacle feedback. Rolling tips may bind, shaft sections may develop play, and reflective covering may peel at joints. Check these features after repeated assembly and a practical handling trial rather than approving appearance alone.
A supplier may offer documents for a body-weight-support walking stick while supplying an obstacle-detection cane. Check that the intended use, product description, instructions and conformity records all describe the ordered model. Agree any material or tip substitution before production.
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 white mobility canes from China?
The supplied tariff data, read on 30 September 2026, gives 2% for both hand-made and other canes within heading 6602, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
Is a white mobility cane a medical device?
Official guidance identifies white sticks used for protection by blind or visually impaired people as likely personal protective equipment. Confirm the route for the manufacturer's intended use.
What should I specify for a folding white cane?
Agree length, shaft material, weight, grip, joint fit, cord tension, finish and tip attachment. Approve a sample for folding, handling and tactile feedback.
How do I check replacement cane tips fit?
Specify the attachment and tip model, then fit replacement samples to production canes. Check retention, removal and smooth rolling where relevant.