Sourcing Amphibious Aircraft from China
Amphibious aircraft from China carry 0% UK import duty across the listed weight bands, with no trade remedies. Ask the UK Civil Aviation Authority to confirm the airworthiness evidence, certification and registration route for the exact land-and-water configuration before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources amphibious aircraft.
Zero duty across the aircraft weight bands
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 7 October 2026, the listed amphibious-aircraft lines under heading 8802 carry 0% duty for goods from China. No anti-dumping or countervailing measures or suspensions are recorded. The aeroplane lines distinguish unladen weight and civil use. This guide concerns aircraft equipped for both water and land operations; the wider aircraft guide covers the broader product family.
The tariff attaches a restriction on entry into free circulation concerning ozone-depleting substances. Importing those substances into Great Britain requires a licence. Obtain the fire-extinguishing agent and refrigerant details, and ask your customs broker to confirm the aircraft-specific declaration and any halon licensing requirement. The listed other-use line also carries fluorinated greenhouse gas import control. Imported equipment containing those gases must be labelled; confirm quota, reporting and any prohibition with your broker.
The tariff also lists a DCMS Export Licence measure. Government guidance says importing objects of cultural interest into Great Britain has no licensing requirement; ask your broker to confirm how the attached export measure relates to your transaction. Confirm the commodity code using the aircraft's unladen weight and civil-use evidence. HMRC's airworthiness scheme for imported parts does not cover importing a complete aircraft.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil amphibious aircraft, unladen weight not exceeding 2 000 kg | 8802 20 00 10 | 0% | None |
| Other amphibious aircraft, unladen weight not exceeding 2 000 kg | 8802 20 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Civil amphibious aircraft, unladen weight over 2 000 kg and not over 15 000 kg | 8802 30 00 10 | 0% | None |
| Civil amphibious aircraft, unladen weight exceeding 15 000 kg | 8802 40 00 20 | 0% | None |
Specify the amphibious configuration and its evidence
Ask the UK Civil Aviation Authority to confirm what airworthiness evidence is required for your intended operation. Settle the certification and registration route before ordering, and ask an aviation specialist to review the exact model, engine, propeller and amphibious configuration. Include the supporting documents in the purchase specification.
Specify a boat hull or amphibious floats, retractable landing gear, freshwater or saltwater use, corrosion protection, drainage, bilge arrangements and access for inspection. Request the flight manual, weight-and-balance records, maintenance instructions and equipment list for the configuration supplied. Agree who handles dismantling, shipping protection, reassembly and acceptance inspection.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: One light civil amphibious aircraft for a small business; illustrative order and values under 8802 20 00 10, invoiced at £250,000 free on board, with £5,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £255,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £255,000, so it is £51,000. 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 and records: match airframe, engine and propeller serial numbers to the supplied records; check that the documents describe the installed hull or floats and landing gear.
Hull and floats: have an aviation specialist examine seams, seals, attachment points, drainage and corrosion protection; compare recorded leak checks with the agreed acceptance specification.
Landing gear: check extension, retraction, locking, position indications, brakes and water rudder operation against the manufacturer's procedures.
Arrival condition: inspect shipping damage, moisture, protective covers and preserved components before reassembly; record discrepancies with photographs and the aircraft identity.
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What goes wrong
Problems to look for include records describing a different float installation, omitted gear components, damaged seals, blocked drains and corrosion around attachments. An aircraft can match the sales photographs while its delivered configuration differs from the documents. Resolve discrepancies with the supplier and aviation specialist before acceptance.
Ask the UK Civil Aviation Authority to confirm what airworthiness evidence is needed for your intended operation, rather than relying solely on a factory demonstration. Ask for configuration-specific documents before committing to the order, and agree inspection access before vulnerable areas are enclosed. Keep the acceptance inspection separate from the customs paperwork.
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 amphibious aircraft from China?
The supplied tariff lines show 0% duty across the listed unladen-weight bands, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions recorded.
Can a Chinese amphibious aircraft be flown in the UK?
Ask the UK Civil Aviation Authority to confirm what airworthiness evidence is required. Have an aviation specialist confirm the certification and registration route for the exact amphibious configuration before ordering.
What should I check before accepting an amphibious aircraft?
Match serial numbers and configuration records, then check hull or float condition, seals, drainage, corrosion protection and landing gear operation with an aviation specialist.
Do aircraft fire extinguishers affect import clearance?
Give your broker the extinguishing-agent details. The tariff attaches an ozone-depleting-substance restriction; confirm the aircraft-specific declaration and any halon licence before shipping.