Sourcing clock movements from China
Complete, assembled clock movements from China, quartz wall clock movements, silent sweep and pendulum movements, and mechanical clock movements, pay 0% UK duty on all four lines of heading 9109, with no anti-dumping duty. Clock makers and craft suppliers check shaft length, hand fitting, torque for large hands, noise and battery life.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 16 November 2026, heading 9109 covers clock movements, complete and assembled, split into electrically operated and other, each with a line for small movements for civil aircraft. All four lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Finished wall clocks are covered in our wall clocks guide; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrically operated movements up to 50 mm for civil aircraft | 9109 10 00 10 | 0% | None |
| Other electrically operated clock movements | 9109 10 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Other movements up to 50 mm for civil aircraft | 9109 90 00 10 | 0% | None |
| Other clock movements | 9109 90 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specifying a movement
Specify the movement type (step, silent sweep, pendulum or radio-controlled), shaft length and thread to suit the dial thickness, hand fit, torque for the hand length, battery type and life, and packing. Finished clocks with batteries sold in the UK fall under the batteries and WEEE producer rules; see our WEEE guide.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 10,000 silent sweep quartz clock movements under 9109 10 00 90, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £12,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,400, so it is £2,480. 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
Function: run samples for several days and check timekeeping and noise.
Torque: test with the largest hands you will fit.
Fit: check shaft length, nut and hand fittings. See our quality inspection guide.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
Clock movement orders fail on torque, noise and fit. Movements stall with long hands, silent movements tick, and shaft lengths do not suit the dial.
Cambridge China Bridge sources components for UK watchmakers, clock makers and repairers from small lots; see small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on clock movements from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 16 November 2026, clock movements under heading 9109 carried 0% from China.
Which movement suits large wall clocks?
A high-torque movement rated for the hand length you will fit.
How do I choose the shaft length?
Match it to the dial thickness plus any spacer, so the nut and hands fit.
Are finished clocks in heading 9109?
No. Heading 9109 is movements; finished clocks are other headings.