Sourcing tripod quick-release plates from China
The supplied heading 9620 lines carry 0% UK duty from China, with no recorded trade remedy. Confirm the code for separately imported quick-release plates before relying on that rate. Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe. Specify the clamp fit and camera screw. Cambridge China Bridge sources camera tripod quick-release plates.
Duty and classification for replacement plates
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 9620 covers monopods, bipods, tripods and similar articles. The supplied lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension recorded in the supplied snapshot. The table shows the heading's broader support categories; it does not establish that separately imported replacement plates belong in those categories.
The supplied camera-support line attaches a DCMS Export Licence control. Official guidance describes this licensing requirement as applying to exports of objects of cultural interest from Great Britain. Ask your customs broker to confirm how the attached control and any document waiver affect your declaration.
Before ordering loose plates, provide the broker with drawings, material details, intended use and details of any accompanying clamp. Confirm the commodity code before using the worked example. If still uncertain after checking the tariff, you can ask HMRC for classification help. For the associated head and wider support context, see camera tripod ball heads.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supports for cameras and similar apparatus | 9620 00 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other supports, of plastics | 9620 00 91 10 | 0% | None |
| Other supports, of aluminium | 9620 00 91 90 | 0% | None |
| Other supports, of other materials | 9620 00 99 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the plate and its mating clamp
Name the exact clamp models the plate must fit and approve samples against those clamps. Specify the dovetail profile or proprietary mounting shape, plate dimensions, screw-slot travel, material, finish and pad material. A compatibility claim should be supported by physical fitting checks.
Specify the camera screw thread, usable screw length, captive arrangement and tightening tool. Camera support threads include the 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch sizes described in ISO 1222. Agree any locating pin, anti-rotation feature and safety-stop screws, including clearance during insertion and removal.
Consumer quick-release plates supplied in Great Britain must be safe under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Assess release under load, sharp edges and screw engagement. Agree clear fitting information, compatibility limits and a test using the intended camera-and-lens arrangement.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 3,000 camera tripod quick-release plates, assuming classification under this code has been confirmed under 9620 00 10 00, invoiced at £21,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £23,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £23,500, so it is £4,700. 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
Clamp fit: fit sampled plates to each agreed clamp model, check full seating and locking, and check movement under the agreed working load.
Camera screw: gauge the specified thread, check usable length against the intended camera socket, and confirm tightening secures the plate without the screw bottoming out.
Retention and finish: check captive screws, locating pins and stop screws against the approved sample; inspect for burrs, cracks, loose pads and obstructed clamp engagement.
Arrival and packing: repeat fitting checks on arrival, compare dimensions and finish with the approved sample, and check that screws, tools and model labels match the order.
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What goes wrong
A plate can appear to fit while contacting only the edge of the clamp. Incorrect profiles, thick coatings or misplaced stop screws can prevent full seating. A screw that bottoms out can feel tight while leaving the camera free to rotate; weak pad adhesive can allow movement during use.
Use the actual mating clamps and representative cameras during sample approval and inspection. Hold suspect stock aside until the cause is checked, and require approval before the factory changes the profile, screw or pad. Set the inspection brief using our quality inspection guide.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on camera tripod quick-release plates from China?
The supplied heading 9620 lines carry 0% duty from China. Confirm the classification of separately imported plates before using that rate; the snapshot records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Will a universal quick-release plate fit my tripod?
Check the exact clamp model. Approve the plate by fitting it, locking it and testing it under the agreed working load; a universal label does not establish fit.
What camera screw should I specify?
Match the camera socket and specify thread, usable length and tightening method. Camera support threads include 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch sizes described in ISO 1222.
What should I inspect when replacement plates arrive?
Check clamp seating, locking, camera screw engagement, retention features, pads and burrs. Compare the delivered plates with the approved sample using the intended clamps and cameras.