Sourcing camera lenses and optical filters from China

Zero duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, mounted objective lenses for cameras, projectors and photographic enlargers, other objective lenses, filters and other mounted optical elements of heading 9002 carried 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. Several named lens assemblies have their own lines. For beam splitters, see our guide to sourcing mounted beam splitters.

Unmounted lenses and optical elements are in heading 9001, covered in the optical lenses guide, and complete cameras in 8525; confirm the commodity code. For instant cameras, see our sourcing guide to instant cameras and camera flashes. For other optical appliances, see our lasers and optical devices guide. For polarising materials, see our optical polarising sheets guide.

Specifying optics

Specify focal length, aperture range, image circle and sensor size, mount such as C, CS, M12 or a camera maker's mount, resolution or MTF at stated frequencies, distortion, and coatings. CCTV lenses need the infrared correction and any switchable IR-cut filter specified, and motorised lenses need the control protocol. Filters are specified by diameter, thread, glass type and coating.

Lenses sold as compatible with a camera brand can say so in plain words, but using the brand's logos or trade dress on the lens or box risks a trade mark claim; the IP guide explains why.

Worked duty example

Suppose, purely for illustration, you import 10,000 CCTV varifocal lenses under 9002 11 00 90. At £45,000 free on board and £1,500 to ship and insure, the customs value is £46,500. With 0% duty on camera lenses, the only charge is import VAT: 20% of £46,500, or £9,300. VAT-registered businesses usually recover that in their next return. The method is set out in how UK import duty and VAT work.

Inspection checklist

Optical performance: resolution and MTF measured on production samples with a test chart by the method of ISO 12233 or on an MTF bench at the frequencies in the specification, with centre and corner sharpness checked at several apertures and distortion measured against the drawing.

Coatings and filters: filter transmission curves measured on a spectrophotometer against the specified pass band, coating adhesion and abrasion tested by the methods of ISO 9211-4, and surfaces inspected under a bright light for scratches, digs and trapped dust.

Mechanics and environment: mount dimensions and back focus checked on the buyer's camera, focus and aperture rings checked for smoothness and play, and damp heat testing to IEC 60068-2-78 on samples for lenses used outdoors, followed by a check for fogging or fungus, with desiccant and sealed packing confirmed before shipment.

What goes wrong

Lenses fail on centring, contamination and focus. Elements that are decentred soften one side of the image, dust and debris trapped between elements show up at small apertures, and lenses shipped through humid ports can grow fungus inside. Back focus that is out of tolerance stops a lens reaching sharp focus on the buyer's camera, and coatings scratch or flare more than the sample.

Test sample lenses on the buyer's camera or a lens test chart for sharpness across the frame and at several apertures, check back focus and mount fit, inspect for dust and scratches under a bright light, and specify desiccant and sealed packing for shipping.

Cambridge China Bridge sources camera, CCTV, projector and machine vision lenses and optical filters, with optical specifications, testing and packing agreed before the order. See how we source optical components.