Sourcing calculators and cash registers from China
Electronic calculators, including pocket, desktop and scientific models, cash registers from China pay 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. They bring battery and WEEE obligations, mains cash registers need electrical safety evidence, and school calculators must match exam rules on permitted functions. Cambridge China Bridge sources them.
Pocket, desktop, printing and scientific calculators, cash registers and similar machines pay 0% UK duty from China. Batteries and WEEE explained.
Zero duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, electronic calculators that work without an external power source, other electronic calculators with or without a printing device, other calculating machines, cash registers and other machines incorporating a calculating device carried 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Point-of-sale terminals built on a computer are usually classified as computers; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculators working without external power | 8470 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other electronic calculators with printing device | 8470 21 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other electronic calculators | 8470 29 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other calculating machines | 8470 30 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Cash registers | 8470 50 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other machines with a calculating device | 8470 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Batteries and WEEE
Calculators with button cells fall under the Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2009, and all are electrical equipment with WEEE obligations. Battery compartments on children's calculators should need a tool to open.
Mains-powered cash registers need electrical safety and EMC evidence with UKCA or CE marking.
Schools and retail
Scientific and graphic calculators for UK schools must match the functions the exam boards allow, so check the current exam guidance before choosing a model. Cash registers for UK retail need a pound sign, VAT rate setting and English receipts.
Inspection
At inspection, test every key and function against a script, check the display, solar cell and battery life, and print receipts on cash registers.
Cambridge China Bridge sources pocket, desktop and scientific calculators and cash registers, with batteries, functions and labelling settled before the order. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on calculators from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, calculators and cash registers of heading 8470 carried 0% duty from China.
Do calculators need battery compliance?
Yes. Button cells fall under the Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2009, and calculators bring WEEE obligations.
Can any scientific calculator be used in UK exams?
No. Exam boards set permitted functions, so check the current guidance before choosing a model.
Are EPOS terminals in heading 8470?
Computer-based point-of-sale terminals are usually classified as computers instead.