Sourcing aircraft flap assemblies from China
Aircraft flap assemblies from China carry 0% UK duty across the relevant aircraft-parts lines, with no listed trade remedies. For certified civil aircraft, an authorised release certificate from an approved organisation is needed before fitting. Match the assembly to the aircraft and drawing revision. Cambridge China Bridge sources aircraft flap assemblies.
Aircraft flap assembly duty and controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, heading 8807 covers aircraft and related parts. Flap assemblies fall within other aeroplane parts, subject to classification. The relevant lines carry 0% duty from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no listed suspensions. The table repeats the relevant codes for inboard and outboard variants; these are not separate tariff subdivisions.
The tariff attaches fluorinated greenhouse gas import controls to both relevant lines and a restriction on entry into free circulation to 8807 30 00 99 concerning ozone-depleting substances. Banned fluorinated-gas products cannot be placed on the Great Britain market. Ozone-depleting substances cannot be used in new equipment except recycled halons for critical uses. Obtain the factory's material and substance declarations, including for foam cores, and ask your customs broker to confirm the declaration requirements for the China shipment.
The tariff also lists a cultural-object export licence control. Official guidance requires a UK export licence for exporting objects of cultural interest from Great Britain outside the UK; ask your broker whether that control is relevant to the assembly. The intended-use line has end-use conditions. Confirm the commodity code before ordering. See the wing assemblies guide for wider assembly sourcing.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inboard flaps for aircraft imported duty free or built within the Community | 8807 30 00 20 | 0% | None |
| Inboard aircraft flap assemblies, other | 8807 30 00 99 | 0% | None |
Specify the flap and its aircraft interface
Give the factory the aircraft model, assembly part number, drawing revision, installation position and handedness. Specify skin and internal structure materials, heat treatment, bonding or riveting, surface finish and corrosion protection. Define the hinge and attachment datums, actuator connection, mass and inspection tolerances from the approved drawing.
List everything included: brackets, bearings, seals, fasteners and any actuator. For certified civil aircraft, confirm the applicable release-certificate requirements and acceptable issuing organisations with the Civil Aviation Authority, and keep any required certificate with the assembly. Agree the release-document route before manufacture. Do not assume a factory material certificate is sufficient; confirm the acceptable documentation before ordering.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of a replacement aircraft flap assembly under 8807 30 00 99, invoiced at £15,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £15,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £15,800, so it is £3,160. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match the assembly marking, part number, serial number and drawing revision to the order and release documents; confirm installation position and handedness.
Geometry: measure hinge alignment, attachment locations, bearing seats and actuator interfaces against the drawing; use the agreed fixture to check movement and interference.
Structure: review material and process records; inspect skins, joints, fasteners and bonded areas against the buyer's acceptance criteria, including the agreed non-destructive inspection reports.
Arrival: check for dents, twist, corrosion and moisture damage; confirm the crate supports the assembly without loading the trailing edge. Record findings using the inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A flap can resemble the required part while having the wrong handedness, hinge geometry or drawing revision. Distorted skins, misaligned bearings and incorrectly positioned brackets can prevent fit or movement. Resolve discrepancies against the drawing rather than approving unrecorded rework.
Missing or mismatched release paperwork can leave a certified-aircraft part unusable for fitting. Keep suspect assemblies separate pending review by the receiving aviation organisation. Photograph transport damage before unpacking further, and retain the crate, identity records and inspection results.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For machinery and equipment, see machinery imports.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on aircraft flap assemblies from China?
The relevant aircraft-parts lines carry 0% duty from China in the supplied tariff snapshot, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the code and intended-use conditions for the assembly.
What documents do aircraft flap assemblies need before fitting?
For certified civil aircraft, confirm the applicable authorised release certificate requirements and acceptable production or maintenance organisations with the Civil Aviation Authority. Match any required document to the assembly's part number and serial number.
Can I order an aircraft flap from photographs?
Use photographs to identify a candidate, then order against the aircraft model, part number and controlled drawing revision. Specify handedness, installation position, hinge datums and included hardware.
What should I check when aircraft flaps arrive?
Check identity and release documents, hinge and attachment geometry, structural inspection records and transport damage. Keep any assembly with unexplained discrepancies separate until reviewed.