Sourcing aircraft propellers from China

Aircraft propeller duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 22 October 2026, aircraft propellers and their parts fall within heading 8807. The relevant lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions listed. The table separates complete propellers from parts within the same commodity codes.

The tariff attaches a DCMS Export Licence measure to these lines. Government guidance states that importing objects of cultural interest into Great Britain has no licensing requirements. For historic propellers or onward exports, ask your customs broker to confirm the measure's relevance to the transaction.

Confirm the intended aircraft use and any conditions attached to the special-use line with your broker using finding your commodity code. Motors and other separately classified equipment need their own codes. See the drone and aircraft parts guide for the wider heading.

Specify blade geometry and aircraft compatibility

State the aircraft or drone model, propeller part number, diameter, pitch, rotation direction, material and hub mounting dimensions. Include the drawing revision, adaptor details and whether the order comprises complete assemblies, replacement blades or matched sets. Agree balance acceptance criteria and the test method before approving the sample.

For certified civil aircraft, buy from approved sources with an authorised release certificate and retain it with the part. Settle the documentation before ordering. For drone replacements, specify compatibility with the aircraft's approved configuration. For model-aircraft parts supplied as consumer products, confirm the applicable product safety requirements with Trading Standards.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 1,000 matched pairs of composite drone propellers under 8807 10 00 90, 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

Geometry: compare diameter, pitch, rotation markings, hub bore and mounting holes with the approved drawing; check fit on the specified mounting assembly.

Balance: review the agreed balance-test records, check sampled propellers and compare blade weights within matched sets.

Material and condition: match material records to the batch and inspect blade roots, edges and hub surfaces for cracks, distortion, delamination or transit damage.

Traceability: match part numbers and batch or serial identifiers to the paperwork; for certified-aircraft parts, check the authorised release certificate. Use the inspection guide to plan sampling.

What goes wrong

A propeller can match the advertised diameter while having the wrong pitch, rotation direction or hub fit. Poor balance causes vibration, while blade flexibility or material substitution can change performance. Compare production samples with the approved sample and keep mismatched sets separate.

For certified aircraft, confirm with the CAA whether the available release documents permit fitting, even when the propeller looks correct. Keep undocumented parts separate from accepted stock. Packaging should support the hub and protect blade tips so that transport does not damage an otherwise acceptable assembly.

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.