Sourcing bingo machines from China

UK duty on bingo machines

Heading 9504 covers table and parlour games and payment-operated games. For bingo machines, distinguish ball-draw apparatus, screen-based payment games, other payment games and their parts. These are classification candidates, rather than interchangeable codes. See the arcade-machine guide for the wider heading.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, the selected lines carried 0% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duties or suspensions. All attach a cultural-goods export licence control. The other-games line also attaches ivory and CITES import and export controls. Specify ivory-free materials; listed ivory needs registration or an exemption application before sale or hire. For CITES-listed materials from China, confirm permits and restrictions with your customs broker.

Confirm the commodity code using the actual drawing or gaming function, payment mechanism, screen and whether you import complete machines or parts. If subsequently exporting, ask your broker to confirm the attached export controls. Import VAT is separate from customs duty.

Specify the draw system, display and intended use

Define whether the machine draws physical balls, calls electronically generated numbers or runs a payment-operated bingo game. Specify the number range, ball dimensions and material, mixing system, outlet, collection tray and reset procedure. For electronic callers, agree the call history, duplicate prevention, display connection, sound and recovery after interrupted power.

Specify the cabinet, supply connection, ventilation, cleaning access, replacement balls and service parts. Approve a sample with the intended display and payment interface. For equipment intended for Great Britain, confirm with the relevant product safety authority whether electrical safety rules require importers to ensure easily understandable English instructions accompany it. Plan model-specific checks through testing and certification.

Commercially operated bingo clubs in Great Britain must hold a bingo operating licence. Describe the intended venue, payments and prizes before ordering, and ask the Gambling Commission to confirm the licensing position for the proposed machine and supply activities.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small batch of bingo ball-draw machines, with classification assumed under 9504 90 80 00, invoiced at £6,500 free on board, with £1,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,500, so it is £1,500. 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

Draw mechanism: run complete draw cycles, check mixing, ball release, jams, repeated selections and the reset procedure against the approved sample.

Calls and display: compare each selected ball or generated call with the screen, call history and spoken announcement; test pause, recall and power-interruption recovery.

Cabinet and documents: check stability, guards, access locks, cable routing, model identity and English instructions against the agreed specification and electrical records.

Arrival and packing: inspect the mixing chamber, display mounts and cabinet corners for damage; recount balls, trays, keys and service parts, then run the delivered machines.

What goes wrong

A demonstration can hide poorly matched balls, an outlet that jams or a call display that loses synchronisation. Electronic callers may repeat a selection or erase the call history after a power interruption. Freeze the ball specification, component list and software version, and use an agreed functional test before shipment.

A ball-draw caller and a payment-operated prize game can be described alike in a supplier's quotation. Record the actual functions and intended use before accepting the classification or arranging a licensing assessment. Secure the chamber and internal assemblies for transport, and use the inspection guide to agree shipment checks.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.