Sourcing CDI units from China
Capacitor-discharge ignition units from China normally carry 2% UK duty under heading 8511; the selected lines all have that base rate. Products supplied for consumer use must be safe. Specify the power supply, trigger signal and timing curve before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources capacitor-discharge ignition units.
UK duty on capacitor-discharge ignition units
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 8511 covers electrical ignition and starting equipment for internal combustion engines and its parts. For capacitor-discharge ignition units, distinguish a complete ignition device from a component or separately supplied coil. The table includes the relevant equipment and parts lines, plus companion coils.
The selected lines carry 2% third-country duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no attached import controls on these lines. It lists a 0.00 % authorised-use suspension under 8511 80 00 90 specifically for described diesel glow plugs, not capacitor-discharge ignition units. No suspension is listed on the other selected lines.
Confirm the commodity code using the circuit function, construction and intended use. The specific module line requires the complete listed description, including use in manufacturing two-stroke engines. For companion coils and the wider heading, see ignition coils.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other ignition equipment, including separately supplied CDI units where classified here | 8511 80 00 90 | 2% | None |
| Epoxy-cast ignition modules meeting the description for two-stroke engine manufacture | 8511 80 00 30 | 2% | None |
| Other ignition equipment parts, subject to classification | 8511 90 00 90 | 2% | None |
| Other ignition coils, supplied separately from the CDI unit | 8511 30 00 90 | 2% | None |
Specify the supply, trigger and timing curve
State whether the unit charges from an alternator supply or a battery supply. Provide the engine application, wiring diagram, connector drawing and pin assignments. Specify trigger polarity, pickup signal, compatible ignition coil, mounting points and housing dimensions. A matching connector shell does not establish electrical compatibility.
Agree the ignition advance curve, any speed-limiting function, starting behaviour and stop-switch operation. Ask for recorded tests with the intended pickup and coil, including cold starting, hot restarting and running across the agreed speed range. Define temperature, vibration and moisture tests around the installation rather than accepting an unsupported waterproof claim.
Businesses importing or selling consumer products are responsible for their safety, and a finished product must comply with applicable legislation before sale in Great Britain. Have a compliance adviser confirm the applicable electromagnetic compatibility and vehicle requirements for the intended application before choosing markings. Use testing and certification to match evidence to the actual unit.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 2,000 capacitor-discharge ignition units, illustrative order under 8511 80 00 90, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £12,600. Duty at 2% is £252. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,852, so it is £2,570.40. Import taxes total £2,822.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £252 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Wiring: check connector keying, terminal retention, pin assignments, cable routing and earth connections against the approved drawing.
Function: test bulk samples with the specified pickup and coil; compare spark delivery, advance curve, speed limiting and stop-switch operation with the approved sample.
Heat and sealing: repeat functional checks after the agreed heat, vibration and moisture tests; inspect potting for cracks, voids and exposed conductors.
Identification: match model references, batch labels, wiring instructions and packaging to the order. At inspection, sample each electrical variant separately.
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What goes wrong
Similar-looking units can have different supply circuits, trigger polarity or pin assignments. The result can be no spark, unreliable starting or damage to connected components. A unit that produces a spark on a basic tester may still have the wrong advance curve or fail when hot.
Treat missing timing data, unexplained substitutions and test reports for another model as unresolved buying issues. Compare bulk samples with the approved circuit and test record before accepting the shipment. Keep separate stock references for electrically different units, even where the housings look identical.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For components and parts, see sourcing for manufacturers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on CDI units from China?
The selected heading 8511 lines carry 2% duty from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measure. Confirm the exact code and do not apply the diesel glow-plug suspension to CDI units.
Which commodity code covers a CDI ignition unit?
Check 8511 80 00 90 for other ignition equipment. Use 8511 80 00 30 only where the module meets its full description. Separately supplied parts and coils need their own classification.
Will a CDI unit fit if the connector matches?
A matching connector is insufficient. Confirm the supply type, pin assignments, trigger polarity, pickup signal, coil compatibility and ignition advance curve against the intended engine.
What tests should I ask a Chinese factory for?
Ask for starting, hot-restart, timing-curve and stop-switch tests using the intended pickup and coil. Agree heat, vibration and moisture checks, then repeat functional testing on bulk samples.