Sourcing aircraft wing assemblies from China

Zero duty on aircraft wing assemblies

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, the relevant wing-assembly lines under heading 8807 carried 0% duty for goods from China. The heading covers aircraft parts; aeroplane and unmanned aircraft wings fall within the other-aircraft-parts branch, while glider wings use the other-parts branch. No anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension is listed in the supplied tariff facts.

The aeroplane-parts lines attach fluorinated greenhouse gas import controls. Imported equipment containing these gases must be correctly labelled, including empty equipment. The general aeroplane-parts line also attaches a restriction on entry into free circulation concerning ozone-depleting substances. Importing those substances into Great Britain requires a licence. Ask the supplier to identify any gas-containing equipment supplied with the wing; have your customs broker confirm the applicable requirements for goods from China, including any equipment exemptions.

The listed lines also attach a cultural-object export licence entry. Official guidance states that importing objects of cultural interest into Great Britain has no licensing requirement under that regime; confirm the tariff entry with your broker. The specified aircraft-use lines describe parts intended for aircraft imported duty free or built within the Community and should not be selected merely because duty is zero. Confirm your commodity code, and see the wider aircraft parts guide.

Specify the wing and its release documents

Name the aircraft model, wing side, part number and drawing revision. Define whether the assembly includes spars, ribs, skins, control surfaces, hinges, fuel tanks and wiring. Give wing-root attachment geometry, material specifications, surface finish and the inspection records you expect. Agree which features need inspection before the skin closes access.

For certified civil aircraft, confirm with the relevant aviation authority the approved-source and authorised release certificate requirements applicable to the assembly. Obtain any required certificate and keep it with the assembly. Match the certificate to the part number and serial identification. Settle this before ordering; confirm whether a material certificate or a successful dimensional inspection is sufficient for the applicable release requirements.

Agree transport supports at suitable structural locations, protection for attachment fittings and sealed openings. Specify how the supplier will prevent loads on unsupported skins and trailing edges.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: a matched pair of light-aircraft wing assemblies 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 wing side, part number, serial identification and drawing revision to the order and release documents.

Attachment geometry: measure wing-root fittings, hole positions and mating faces against the approved drawing; record the results rather than accepting photographs alone.

Structure: review material traceability and agreed joint-inspection records; inspect accessible skins, bonded joints and fasteners for damage or workmanship defects.

Arrival condition: inspect supports, leading and trailing edges, protective caps and any fitted control surfaces before moving the assembly. Use the inspection guide to plan checks.

What goes wrong

A wing can look correct while its attachment geometry belongs to another drawing revision. Missing material traceability, undocumented repairs and inaccessible joints make acceptance harder. Agree inspection records before manufacture and hold assemblies with unresolved identity or release-document discrepancies.

Transport can dent skins, distort unsupported edges or damage projecting fittings. Photograph the packaging and supports during unpacking, compare damage with dispatch records and arrange technical assessment before acceptance. For certified aircraft, keep an assembly without the required release paperwork segregated from parts ready for fitting.

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.