How to export aircraft engines from the UK to China

Set the route for aircraft engines and turbojets

For aircraft engines and turbojets, first classify the exact specification against UK export controls, then agree the Chinese tariff line and import requirements with your buyer. These engines are absent from the cited cross-border e-commerce retail import list. The largest UK export line to mainland China was 84111280, turbojets of a thrust > 132 kN, under HS 841112: £726.3m in 2025.

HMRC recorded £1.15bn of UK goods exports to mainland China under HS 841111, 841112, 841121, 841122, 841191 in 2025 (2024: £732.4m, +56.9%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £5.48bn. January to July 2026: £998.7m against £659.9m in the same months of 2025 (+51.3%).

Price against the Chinese tariff line

The listed Chinese tariff lines have the MFN rates below. Turbojets fall under HS 841111 or 841112, turbopropellers under HS 841121 or 841122, and their parts under HS 841191. Agree the Chinese tariff line before setting your offer: duty and import VAT add to the importer's landed cost and shape the price it can offer you.

The VAT Law sets a standard import VAT rate of 13%, subject to its reduced-rate list and special rules. Import VAT is calculated on the customs value plus customs duty plus consumption tax. The importer's customs broker or adviser confirms the applicable VAT treatment and whether consumption tax applies to these engines.

Check propulsion controls before quoting

Category 9 of the UK dual-use control list covers aerospace and propulsion. Whether your engine or part is controlled depends on its technical specification, so classify it against the UK Strategic Export Control Lists before quoting. All export and trade licence applications for mainland China are assessed case by case against the UK Strategic Export Licensing Criteria; a tariff classification alone does not resolve the export-control assessment. For industrial turbines, see exporting steam and gas turbines to China. For sourcing in the opposite direction, see our turboshaft engines from China guide.

Prepare the UK export declaration

For an engine shipment from England, Scotland or Wales, you need 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. Keep the declared engine specification consistent with the specification used for your export-control assessment.

Check the Chinese buyer before committing

Ask the prospective importer to identify the engine or part it wants by technical specification and explain how it has established the Chinese tariff line and import requirements. Review its landed-cost calculation before agreeing the supply price. Regulated import roles stay with licensed partners in China, and the brand's own filings remain the brand's responsibility.

Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands. If an importer has already approached you, our staff check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed. Use our export-to-China service to arrange that work.