Wooden tool and broom handles from China
Wooden tools, tool bodies and handles, broom and brush bodies and handles, and wooden shoe lasts and shoe trees from China pay 0% UK duty under 4417 00 00 00, with no anti-dumping duty. The tariff flags a CITES control because some hardwoods are protected, and buyers check grain direction, moisture content and knots.
Wooden tool handles, broom and brush handles and bodies, and shoe lasts and trees from China pay 0% UK duty. Grain, moisture and CITES checks explained.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, heading 4417 covers tools, tool bodies, tool handles, broom or brush bodies and handles, of wood, and boot or shoe lasts and trees, of wood. It is a single line at 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
The tariff attaches a CITES import control to 4417 because handles can be made from protected timbers such as some rosewoods and ebonies, which need CITES permits. Finished brushes and brooms are heading 9603 (see our brushes guide), and hand tools with their heads fitted follow the tool's heading, so confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wooden tools, tool bodies and handles, broom and brush bodies and handles, shoe lasts and trees | 4417 00 00 00 | 0% | None |
Species and treatment
State the timber species and its scientific name on the order and invoice, because that decides whether CITES permits are needed. Common handle timbers such as ash, beech, birch, hickory and eucalyptus are not CITES-listed, but mixed or unnamed hardwood can hide a listed species.
Handles treated with a preservative or anti-fungal coating are treated articles under the retained Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, so the active substance must be approved for that use. Varnishes and lacquers need to be dry and free of solvent odour before packing.
Specifying handles
Specify species, length, diameter or profile and tolerance, taper or thread for the fitting, slope of grain limit, knots allowed, moisture content, finish (raw, lacquered, painted, with hang hole), and bundling and packing.
Worked duty example
An invented example rather than a quote: 30,000 hardwood broom handles, commodity code 4417 00 00 00, bought for £9,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance, so £10,800 is the value customs works from. No duty is due on broom handles; import VAT at 20% of £10,800 is £2,160. If you are VAT-registered, that VAT is normally reclaimable. See calculating UK import duty and VAT for the method.
Inspection checklist
Grain and defects: check the grain runs along the handle with no steep slope, and reject handles with knots, splits or checks in the grip or at the socket.
Moisture and dimensions: measure moisture content with a pin meter, since wet handles shrink and loosen in the head, and check length, diameter and taper against the gauge.
Finish and species: check lacquer adhesion and dryness, and ask for species evidence on each lot.
What goes wrong
Handle orders fail on grain, moisture and species. Handles with cross grain snap in use, wet timber shrinks and the head works loose, lacquer stays tacky and sticks in bundles, and a cheaper or protected species is substituted.
Check grain and moisture on each lot and name the species in the contract. See our quality inspection guide.
Cambridge China Bridge sources wooden handles and brush bodies for UK tool and brush makers, from small trial lots. See small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on wooden broom handles from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, wooden handles under 4417 00 00 00 carried 0% from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
Do wooden handles need CITES permits?
Only if made from a CITES-listed species. Common handle timbers such as ash, beech and hickory are not listed.
Are finished brooms in the same heading?
No. Finished brooms and brushes are heading 9603.
Why does moisture content matter?
Wet handles shrink as they dry and loosen in the tool or broom head.