Post-Brexit Electronics Imports from China to the UK
2 resources tagged with "Post Brexit"
Since Brexit, electronics shipped from China to Great Britain need UKCA marking instead of (or alongside) CE, with conformity assessed against the UK's Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 rather than the EU RED. Customs clearance now runs on the UK Global Tariff and import VAT at 20% is due at the border, payable via a deferment account or postponed VAT accounting. Pages here cover the practical mechanics of moving goods through UK customs and getting a Chinese factory's paperwork into UKCA-acceptable shape.
Post-Brexit means CE marking alone no longer guarantees market access to Great Britain for most regulated electronics; you need UKCA evidence and a UK Responsible Person. The common pitfall is assuming a Chinese supplier's existing CE file transfers automatically — the technical file usually does, but the conformity route and labelling do not.
Guides (1)
Wiki (1)
FAQ
Do I still need UKCA marking if my product already has CE?
For Great Britain, regulated electronics generally need UKCA marking; the underlying test reports often transfer from a CE file, but you must re-declare conformity under UK regulations and add a UK Responsible Person. Northern Ireland still accepts CE under the Windsor Framework.
What does it cost to import electronics from China to the UK?
Budget for the UK Global Tariff (many consumer electronics are 0%, but check the commodity code), 20% import VAT on the landed value, plus customs broker fees of roughly £30–£60 per entry. A Chinese factory cannot do UK clearance for you — you need a UK EORI number and usually a broker.
Can a Chinese factory issue the UKCA Declaration of Conformity?
The DoC is issued by the manufacturer, which can be the Chinese factory if they hold the technical file, but a UK or EU importer typically takes on Responsible Person duties. We verify the factory's test reports trace to recognised standards before they sign anything.
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