China-to-UK tariff rates?
📋 Direct Answer
UK import duties on Chinese goods: Standard MFN rates 0-12% depending on product (UK has its own tariff schedule post-Brexit), No preferential FTA with China. UK de minimis: £135 per shipment (below which no import duty). Goods over £135 attract import VAT (20%) + customs duty. UK has simplified tariffs for some categories.
📝 Step-by-Step Guide
Prerequisites
- •Product HS code
- •FOB value per unit
- 1
Check UK Global Tariff
Post-Brexit UK uses UK Global Tariff; look up your HS code on UK Trade Tariff tool
- 2
Check for anti-dumping duties
UK may impose separate anti-dumping duties on Chinese goods in certain categories
- 3
Calculate total landed cost
Add customs duty + 20% VAT on (CIF value + duty) for total import cost
💰 Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) | 10-20% higher shipping + duty advance | one-time |
| DAP (Delivered at Place) | Standard shipping rates | one-time |
| Self-filing customs declaration | €200-500/shipment for in-house team | one-time |
| UK MFN Tariff | 0-12% | one-time |
| UK De Minimis | 0% under £135 | one-time |
| Total Estimate | €210 – €667 | Per UK filing |
UK has its own tariff schedule (UKGT) separate from the EU since Brexit — rates may differ significantly for the same HS code
Using EU rates for UK imports leads to incorrect duty payments
🛡️ Prevention Steps
- ✓Use UK Trade Tariff tool (trade-tariff.service.gov.uk)
- ✓Check for UK-specific anti-dumping duties
- ✓Verify VAT registration requirements separately
Item by Item
RequiredUK MFN Tariff0-12%Immediate
- 1Check UK Global Tariff schedule
- 2China has MFN status — no preferential rates
- 3Standard rates: 0% (many electronics) to 12% (textiles)
InfoUK De Minimis0% under £135Immediate
- 1Goods valued under £135: no import duty
- 2Import VAT (20%) still applies on goods over £135
- 3Online marketplaces collect VAT on goods under £135
Comparison
| DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) | DAP (Delivered at Place) | Self-filing customs declaration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Best For | B2C sellers wanting premium customer experience | B2B sellers or low-value goods where buyer expects to handle customs | High-volume sellers with dedicated logistics team |
| Est. Cost | 10-20% higher shipping + duty advance | Standard shipping rates | commercial quote — confirm with the provider; this page does not publish a fixed official fee |
Tariff Calculator
After comparing options, check your own case in the free tool.
Open Tariff Calculator →Common Mistakes
❌ Assuming UK rates mirror EU rates — post-Brexit UKGT differs from EU Common Customs Tariff
💥 Consequence: Wrong duty calculations for UK market
✅ Fix: Always use the UK tariff schedule, not the EU one, for UK imports
Seller Paths
UK Import Tariff Navigation (Post-Brexit)
- 1. Check product against UK Global Tariff schedule
- 2. Verify if product qualifies for any UK FTA rates
- 3. Calculate duty + UK import VAT (20%)
- 4. Register for UK VAT if sales exceed £85,000
UK Import Optimization
- 1. Use UK customs warehousing for duty deferral
- 2. Consider UK-based fulfillment (Amazon FBA UK)
- 3. Explore UK Freeport benefits if applicable
- 4. Monitor UK tariff schedule changes
Next Steps
Get a free compliance assessment
Continue →Related Tools
Related Questions
Sources
- • UK Global Tariff (GOV.UK)
- • HMRC customs guidance
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Consult a professional for your specific situation.