How to export aircraft components from the UK to China

Start with the specification and the sales route

Aircraft components, tyres and seats need product-specific classification before you quote for China. Aircraft parts sit alongside complete aircraft and spacecraft in this guide’s HS coverage, so the heading alone cannot settle your shipment’s treatment. These goods are absent from the cited cross-border e-commerce retail import list. Plan the commercial shipment with a Chinese importer and establish the requirements for the actual item. For other seating, see our guide to UK seating exports to China.

Under HS 4011-9401 (12 subheadings): HMRC recorded £255.2m of UK goods exports to mainland China under 12 HS6 subheadings in 2025 (2024: £205.2m, +24.4%).

UK exports under HS 4011-9401 (12 subheadings): Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £27.5m. January to July 2026: £158.1m against £137.2m in the same months of 2025 (+15.3%).

Price against the Chinese tariff line

The listed Chinese tariff lines have the MFN rates below. HS 880240 splits into Chinese lines with different rates, making the exact classification material to your quote. Import VAT is generally 13%, subject to statutory exceptions, on customs value plus duty plus consumption tax. The importer’s customs adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies to the item. These border costs shape the landed price and what the importer can offer.

Classify the part and prepare the UK declaration

Distinguish aircraft tyres under HS 401130, propellers and rotors under HS 880710, undercarriages under HS 880720, other aircraft parts under HS 880730 or 880790, and seats under HS 940110. Complete aircraft and spacecraft have separate headings. The largest listed UK export line to China was 88073000 under HS 880730, at £168.3m in 2025. That is the tariff-line total, rather than sales of your particular part. For tyre-specific preparation, see exporting UK tyres to China. For the reverse trade route, see our guide to sourcing turboprop passenger aircraft.

For exports from England, Scotland or Wales, obtain a GB EORI and the correct commodity code. The online export declaration needs the value, weight, packaging, destination, transport details, and invoice and packing-list references. Give the carrier the invoice and any applicable export licences or certificates. Agree who will lodge the declaration while preparing the specification and shipment information.

Resolve export controls and Chinese entry requirements

Check the technical specification against the UK Strategic Export Control Lists before quoting: dual-use category 9 covers aerospace and propulsion. Licence applications for mainland China are assessed case by case; the UK also observes an embargo on certain military items. On the Chinese side, have the importer’s broker or relevant authority confirm the item’s entry requirements before dispatch. GACC Decree 280 concerns overseas food enterprises, so its food-manufacturer registration does not apply to these parts.

Find and check an importer before committing stock

Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands. If a Chinese importer has already approached your brand, our staff in China check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed. For aircraft parts, make the proposed product specification, Chinese tariff line and handling of border requirements part of the discussion.

The importer of record and any other applicable regulated roles stay with licensed partners in China, and your brand’s own filings stay yours. We check with licensed partners. Use our export-to-China service to arrange importer finding or checks around the parts you intend to supply.