How to export refrigeration to China
Start with the model’s Chinese tariff line and CCC scope before committing stock. Duty and import VAT affect the buyer’s landed cost, while cross-border retail covers only selected lines. Cambridge China Bridge’s own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands.
Match the equipment to its Chinese import route
For refrigeration and air conditioning, establish the model’s Chinese tariff line and whether CCC certification is required before agreeing shipment. The HMRC figures below are UK exports under HS 8415-8418 (16 subheadings); they cover the goods within those codes, rather than your particular product.
HMRC recorded £16.0m of UK goods exports to mainland China under 16 HS6 subheadings in 2025 (2024: £8.0m, +99.1%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £1.8m. January to July 2026: £4.0m against £14.1m in the same months of 2025 (-71.3%). These are UK exports under HS 8415-8418 (16 subheadings).
The largest UK export line was 84186100, heat pumps excluding air conditioning machines of heading 8415, at £6.3m in 2025. That is UK exports under HS 841861, rather than evidence of demand for every refrigeration model. Decide with the buyer whether the equipment is intended for commercial distribution or eligible personal-use cross-border retail.
Resolve CCC certification before shipping
The CCC reference matches include household refrigerators, food freezers and air conditioners, including codes 8418101000, 8418500000 and 8415102210. A code match requires a product-scope check. Household refrigerators and food freezers with rated capacity above 500L require compulsory certification and the certification mark before import. For required certification, plan in months, not weeks; the Chinese authority decides the outcome. For related production equipment, see our guide to exporting food processing machines to China.
Price against the Chinese tariff line
The listed Chinese tariff lines distinguish complete machines from parts and separate several lines by equipment type or capacity. Use the Chinese line agreed for your model, rather than copying the UK export code. The table shows MFN rates; provisional 2026 rates are 6% for 84159090 and for 84189910, 84189991, 84189992 and 84189999.
Import VAT is generally 13%, subject to the statutory exceptions. Its base is customs value plus customs duty plus any consumption tax. The importer’s customs broker or adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies to this product. These border charges increase landed cost and therefore shape the price a Chinese distributor can offer your brand.
| Chinese tariff line | Rate |
|---|---|
| 84151010, 84151021, 84151022 | 8% |
| 84152000 | 10% |
| 84158110 | 8% |
| 84158120 | 10% |
| 84158210 | 8% |
| 84158220 | 10% |
| 84158300 | 8% |
| 84159010, 84159090 | 8% |
| 84181010 | 9% |
| 84181020, 84181030 | 8% |
| 84182110, 84182120, 84182130 | 8% |
| 84182910, 84182920, 84182990 | 8% |
| 84183010, 84183021 | 9% |
| 84183029 | 8% |
| 84184010, 84184021 | 9% |
| 84184029 | 8% |
| 84185000 | 9% |
| 84186120, 84186190 | 9% |
| 84186920, 84186990 | 9% |
| 84189100 | 9% |
| 84189910, 84189991, 84189992, 84189999 | 9% |
Prepare the UK export declaration
For exports from England, Scotland or Wales, obtain a GB EORI and classify the equipment under the correct UK commodity code. The online export declaration needs the value, weight, packaging, destination, transport and invoice and packing-list references. Give the carrier the invoice and any required export licences or certificates. Keep model descriptions consistent so the Chinese buyer can reconcile the shipment with its tariff and CCC assessment.
Check whether cross-border retail fits the model
The cross-border retail import list covers selected lines: 84151010 independent air conditioners; 84151021 split units, 84158110 heat-pump units and 84158210 other units with cooling capacity no more than 4千大卡/时; and combined refrigerator-freezers under 84181010 above 500L or 84181020 above 200L and no more than 500L. This partial coverage does not extend to every machine or spare part.
Listed goods through bonded 1210 or direct 9610 retail channels are supervised as personal-use articles, with first-import licence, registration and filing requirements disapplied subject to the stated epidemic-area and emergency-risk exceptions. The overseas business remains responsible for quality and safety and must appoint a mainland-registered company to register with customs, declare truthfully and share civil liability.
Consumers must accept a risk notice before ordering: origin-country standards may differ from Chinese standards, a Chinese label may be absent with an electronic Chinese label available online, and goods may not be resold. Transaction limits are RMB 5,000 per purchase and RMB 26,000 annually per person. Assess these limits against the equipment’s intended sale before choosing this route.
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Check a Chinese buyer before committing stock
Ask a prospective importer to explain the tariff line, CCC scope and sales route for your exact model, then have those answers checked with its customs broker. Discuss who will manage certification, installation support and spare parts before accepting an order. Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands, including companies that have already approached you, before stock is sent or anything is signed.
We prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China. The importer of record and any required cross-border e-commerce agent remain with licensed partners in China; your own filings remain yours. Use our export-to-China service to arrange buyer checks and preparation for the proposed shipment.
Frequently asked questions
Does my refrigeration equipment need CCC for China?
Some models fall within the CCC catalogue. Check the exact model against product scope and the reference codes; a broad HS heading alone cannot settle whether your equipment needs certification.
What Chinese duty applies to refrigeration parts?
84159090 has an 8% MFN rate and a provisional 2026 rate of 6%. The listed 841899 parts lines have a 9% MFN rate and a provisional 2026 rate of 6%. Classification determines the applicable line.
Can I sell a UK refrigerator through cross-border retail?
The list includes combined refrigerator-freezers under 84181010 and 84181020 within their stated capacity bands. Retail goods are for personal use and cannot be resold; check the exact model and transaction limits.
Can you check a Chinese distributor that contacted us?
Our staff in China check an importer or distributor that has approached your brand before stock is sent or anything is signed. This is part of our buyer-checking service for UK brands.