Sourcing aircraft radomes from China

Aircraft radome duty and tariff controls

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, heading 8807 covers aircraft parts, including radomes when classified as aircraft parts. The relevant lines carry 0% duty from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no listed suspensions. The table gives candidate lines by aircraft type and specified use, rather than dedicated radome codes. For wider airframe sourcing, see aircraft fuselage sections.

The aeroplane, helicopter and unmanned aircraft lines attach fluorinated greenhouse gas import controls; the general other-parts line also attaches a restriction on entry into free circulation concerning ozone-depleting substances. Products containing regulated fluorinated gas must be labelled, and importing ozone-depleting substances into Great Britain requires a licence. For a shell-only radome, obtain a material declaration and ask your customs broker to confirm which requirements and declaration documents apply.

The selected lines also attach a cultural-object export licence measure. Government guidance states that importing cultural objects into Great Britain has no licensing requirement under that scheme; confirm the tariff measure with your broker, especially for historic parts or subsequent export. Confirm aircraft type, part function and any specified-use conditions through finding your commodity code before declaring the goods.

Specify the radome shell and radar performance

Specify the aircraft model, installation position, part number and drawing revision. Define the laminate materials, core, wall thickness, mounting flange, fasteners, sealing surfaces and exterior coating. State whether the order is a bare shell or includes antennas, heaters or other equipment. Agree acceptance criteria with the aircraft engineering team before the factory selects materials.

Request radar transmission and reflection results for the intended operating band, including the finished coating and lightning protection features. Agree checks for beam distortion, moisture ingress and laminate bonding. For certified civil aircraft, ask the CAA to confirm the applicable source and release-document requirements, including whether an authorised release certificate from an approved production or maintenance organisation is needed before fitting the part.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 50 small unmanned aircraft radomes, illustrative order 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 part number, drawing revision and serial identification to the order and release paperwork; keep the certificate with the part.

Fit: measure the flange, mounting holes, sealing surfaces and overall profile against the drawing; check an agreed installation fixture.

Composite condition: check for cracks, delamination, exposed fibres, crushed core and moisture; examine coating coverage and lightning protection details against the specification.

Performance and packing: match radar test reports to the supplied construction and finish; check supports protect the flange and shell during transport. Use the inspection guide to plan checks.

What goes wrong

A radome can match the external shape while using a different laminate, core or coating. These changes can affect radar transmission and beam behaviour. A report for an unfinished sample does not demonstrate the performance of the delivered painted shell. Require approval before material or coating substitutions and retain traceable test evidence.

Poor flange support during packing can distort the mounting interface or damage the composite. Moisture and hidden bonding defects may escape a surface inspection. Quarantine damaged parts and parts with missing release paperwork; resolve the engineering and document discrepancies before installation.

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.