How to export Spraying equipment to China

Choose the route for your equipment

For spraying and fire-fighting equipment, establish the Chinese classification and certification scope before agreeing a shipment. Fire extinguishers and plant protection machinery appear in the CCC reference table, while the cross-border retail list covers only a household appliance line within this category. Give the prospective importer your model specifications and intended use so it can assess the appropriate route.

HMRC recorded £13.2m of UK goods exports to mainland China under 8 HS6 subheadings in 2025 (2024: £18.1m, -27.1%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £1.1m. January to July 2026: £7.5m against £8.4m in the same months of 2025 (-10.3%). These are UK exports under HS 8424-8424 (8 subheadings).

The largest UK export line to mainland China was parts under HS 842490, UK line 84249080, at £5.4m in 2025. This is the whole tariff line’s value. For a parts maker, establish the part’s classification separately from the complete machine’s certification scope.

Resolve CCC scope before shipping

The CCC reference table matches plant protection machinery to 8424410000, 8424490000 and 8424820000, and fire extinguishers to 8424100000, using third-party certification. Have the importer confirm whether your exact model falls within the catalogue and which certification work is required before import. Allow months, not weeks, for approvals; the Chinese authority decides the outcome.

Build Chinese border taxes into your quotation

The listed Chinese tariff lines carry the following MFN rates. The difference between an 8% equipment line and a 0% appliance or parts line affects landed cost and the price an importer can offer. Use the Chinese tariff line confirmed for your product rather than applying one rate to the entire range.

Import VAT is generally 13%; agricultural machinery is in the 9% list, so establish the applicable treatment for agricultural equipment. VAT is calculated on customs value plus customs duty plus any consumption tax. The importer’s customs broker or adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies to this product. Include the applicable duty and VAT in the landed-cost calculation.

Prepare the UK export declaration

For exports from England, Scotland or Wales, classify the equipment and obtain a GB EORI number. The online export declaration needs the commodity code, value, weight, packaging, destination, transport details and invoice and packing list references. Agree who will declare the shipment and provide the carrier with the invoice and any export licences or certificates required.

Use cross-border retail only for the listed line

The cross-border retail import list includes Chinese line 84248910 for household jet-projecting and spraying appliances. It does not cover the whole equipment range. Listed goods entering through bonded 1210 or direct 9610 retail channels are supervised as personal-use articles without first-import licensing, registration or filing requirements, except for suspended epidemic-area goods or emergency handling of major quality and safety risks.

The limits are RMB 5,000 per transaction and RMB 26,000 annually per person. The overseas business bears primary product quality and safety responsibility 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; purchases are for personal use and cannot be resold.

Find and check a Chinese importer

Ask a prospective importer to explain which of your models it intends to buy, the Chinese tariff lines it proposes and how it will handle any CCC certification. For a parts order, check that its classification addresses the actual parts supplied. For household retail proposals, check that the proposed channel fits the listed line and personal-use restrictions.

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. See our export-to-China service.

We prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China. The importer of record and, where required, the cross-border e-commerce agent remain with licensed partners in China; the brand’s own filings stay the brand’s. We check the work with those partners.