Sourcing camera lenses and optical filters from China
Mounted lenses, prisms, mirrors and other optical elements from China, including camera, CCTV, projector and machine vision lenses and filters, pay 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. Unmounted lenses are in a different heading, and lenses sold as compatible with a camera brand must not use that brand's logos. Cambridge China Bridge sources lenses and optical filters.
Mounted camera, CCTV, projector and machine vision lenses, optical filters and other mounted optical elements pay 0% UK duty from China. A worked example.
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.
Unmounted lenses and optical elements are in heading 9001, covered in the optical lenses guide, and complete cameras in 8525; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Objective lenses for cameras and projectors, other | 9002 11 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Other objective lenses | 9002 19 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Filters | 9002 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other mounted optical elements | 9002 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on camera lenses from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, mounted lenses and optical filters of heading 9002 carried 0% duty from China.
Where do unmounted lenses go?
Unmounted lenses and optical elements are in heading 9001, not 9002.
Can a lens box say it fits a camera brand?
Plain-word compatibility statements are usually fine, but the brand's logos and trade dress are not.
How should lenses be tested?
On the buyer's camera or a test chart across the frame and at several apertures, plus back focus and mount fit.