Sourcing cargo aircraft from China
Cargo aircraft from China carry 0% UK duty across the relevant aircraft lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Commercial carriage of cargo by air requires a Civil Aviation Authority operating licence. Confirm the aircraft's UK airworthiness route before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources cargo aircraft.
Cargo aircraft duty and attached controls
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 7 October 2026, heading 8802 covers aeroplanes and other aircraft alongside helicopters and spacecraft. The cargo-aircraft candidate lines carry 0% duty from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension recorded. Classification uses unladen weight and civil use. The other-category row is a comparison. Confirm the commodity code against the supplied aircraft. See the business jets guide for wider heading context.
The tariff attaches an ozone-depleting-substances restriction on entry into free circulation. Obtain the contents of fitted fire extinguishers, cargo-compartment suppression systems and cooling equipment. Importing critical-use halons requires an ozone-depleting-substances licence. Have your customs broker confirm the requirement for the aircraft from China before accepting a declaration that it contains no such substances or does not rely on them to function.
The other-category line also attaches fluorinated greenhouse gas import control. Where quota authorisations or delegations are required for pre-charged equipment, insufficient coverage prevents import into Great Britain; ask your broker to check the fitted equipment. The tariff also attaches a DCMS Export Licence measure. The cultural-objects regime has no licensing requirement for imports into Great Britain. Ask your broker to confirm the attached measure's relevance to your transaction and any later re-export.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil cargo aeroplanes, unladen weight not exceeding 2 000 kg | 8802 20 00 10 | 0% | None |
| Civil cargo aeroplanes, unladen weight over 2 000 kg but not exceeding 15 000 kg | 8802 30 00 10 | 0% | None |
| Civil cargo aeroplanes, unladen weight exceeding 15 000 kg | 8802 40 00 20 | 0% | None |
| Other aircraft up to 2 000 kg unladen weight, for classification comparison | 8802 20 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the cargo configuration and airworthiness route
Before committing to a factory, ask a UK aviation specialist to assess the exact model, recognised airworthiness evidence, certification and registration route. Commercial carriage of cargo by air requires an operating licence from the Civil Aviation Authority. Review the proposed aircraft with the intended operator. Use testing and certification support to organise the documents requested alongside that specialist review.
Specify the usable payload, cargo-door opening, compartment dimensions, floor loading, restraint attachments and loading equipment. Distinguish purpose-built cargo aircraft from passenger aircraft converted for freight. Request the configuration drawings, weight and balance records, cargo-loading instructions, flight manual, maintenance records and details of any conversion. Agree who handles preservation, transport, reassembly and arrival acceptance.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative purchase of a used light civil cargo aeroplane for a small freight business under 8802 20 00 10, invoiced at £250,000 free on board, with £5,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £255,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £255,000, so it is £51,000. 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
Identity: match airframe, engine and major component serial numbers to the contract, equipment list and maintenance records.
Cargo system: have an aviation specialist check door seals and latches, floor panels, restraint tracks and loading equipment against the agreed configuration.
Condition: inspect structural attachments, landing gear, exposed connections and cargo-floor repairs for damage, corrosion or undocumented changes.
Arrival: photograph transport supports and lifting points, check moisture protection, account for removed components and reconcile supplied manuals before acceptance.
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What goes wrong
A quoted payload can obscure limits on individual floor areas or restraint attachments. A cargo door may admit the load while the internal layout prevents positioning it correctly. Compare the intended freight with the loading instructions and configuration drawings before agreeing the specification.
Conversion documents can describe a different door, floor reinforcement or restraint arrangement from the delivered aircraft. Transport damage and missing component histories can also undermine acceptance. Resolve discrepancies with an aviation specialist before putting the aircraft into service; a sourcing inspection does not establish UK-recognised airworthiness.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For machinery and equipment, see machinery imports.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on cargo aircraft from China?
The relevant aircraft lines carry 0% duty from China. The supplied tariff facts record no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. Confirm the code using unladen weight and civil use.
Can I use a Chinese cargo aircraft commercially in the UK?
Confirm UK-recognised airworthiness evidence and the certification and registration route for the exact aircraft.
Which weight determines the cargo aircraft commodity code?
The aircraft lines use unladen weight, rather than maximum take-off weight or cargo payload. Give your customs broker the weight documentation, intended use and supplied configuration.
What should I check on a converted cargo aircraft?
Match conversion records to the actual cargo door, reinforced floor, restraint attachments and loading instructions. Have an aviation specialist assess document gaps, modifications and arrival damage before acceptance.