Sourcing aluminium electrolytics from China

UK duty on aluminium electrolytic capacitors

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, aluminium electrolytic capacitors under 8532 22 00 00 carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for this line.

Heading 8532 covers fixed, variable and adjustable electrical capacitors. Aluminium electrolytics have a specific line within the heading. The table shows different package styles sharing that line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. See the wider capacitor guide for other capacitor families.

Confirm the construction and full part description against the commodity code guide. Supercapacitors and capacitor banks with switching gear can be classified differently. Import VAT is separate from customs duty; see UK import duty and VAT.

Specify ripple current and life at temperature

Order against the manufacturer's complete part number and datasheet. Specify capacitance, tolerance, rated voltage, temperature range, ripple current, equivalent series resistance and rated life at temperature. Include case dimensions, lead spacing or terminal layout, polarity markings and packing format. Agree the test conditions as well as the acceptance limits.

For parts incorporated into electrical products sold in the UK, obtain restricted-substance declarations and material data for each part number to support the finished product's compliance. Supplier confirmation does not replace the manufacturer's responsibility to determine whether its product complies with the restricted-substance regulations.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 500,000 aluminium electrolytic capacitors, illustrative order under 8532 22 00 00, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £18,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £18,600, so it is £3,720. 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

Electrical values: measure sample capacitance, equivalent series resistance, dissipation factor and leakage current under the agreed datasheet conditions.

Fit and polarity: compare case dimensions, lead spacing, terminal layout and polarity markings with the approved sample and drawing.

Source and age: check manufacturer labels, lot identifiers and date codes, and trace the supply to the maker or an authorised distributor.

Packing and documents: check for damaged cans, bent terminals or leakage, and match the packing labels, material declarations and certificates of conformance to the ordered part numbers.

What goes wrong

Matching capacitance and voltage can conceal a substituted series with a lower temperature rating, poorer ripple-current capability or shorter rated life. Aged, relabelled or recycled stock also creates problems. Check the complete part number and batch history rather than accepting a generic description.

A dimensional mismatch can prevent assembly even when electrical measurements pass. Record the approved drawing and sample, prohibit unapproved substitutions, and agree arrival checks before ordering. Use the quality inspection guide to organise the inspection.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For components and parts, see sourcing for manufacturers.