Sourcing coaxial cable from China
Coaxial cable from China normally pays 2% UK duty; listed suspensions can reduce this to 0% only for qualifying goods. For permanent building installation, confirm with the relevant authority whether construction-product requirements apply, including a declaration of performance. Specify impedance, shielding and connector fit. Cambridge China Bridge sources coaxial cable.
Coaxial cable duty and restricted suspensions
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, heading 8544 includes insulated conductors, including coaxial cable. The coaxial lines are 8544 20 00 30 for the specified vehicle antenna assembly and 8544 20 00 90 for other coaxial cable. The table shows different buying applications sharing these codes.
Both lines carry a standard duty of 2% for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures or attached import controls recorded in the supplied facts. Both show a 0% autonomous suspension. The vehicle line describes a particular radio antenna assembly. The other line's suspension footnote describes a narrowly specified insulated flexible cable and is truncated. Have your broker check the complete conditions before claiming relief.
Confirm the commodity code using the cable construction, intended application and assembly drawing. Do not assume that coaxial cable becomes a general telecommunications conductor simply because it carries communication signals. For other products within the heading, see electrical cable and wire harnesses.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coaxial cable on reels, other | 8544 20 00 90 | 2% | None |
| Specified vehicle radio antenna cable with connectors and dashboard clips | 8544 20 00 30 | 2% | None |
Specify the signal path and installation
Specify characteristic impedance, operating frequency range, maximum attenuation at the required frequencies, centre-conductor material and diameter, dielectric construction, braid coverage, foil layers and sheath material. For terminated leads, include connector drawings, mating interfaces, finished length tolerances and strain relief. Agree whether copper-clad material is acceptable rather than leaving the conductor description as 'copper'.
For communication cable permanently installed in buildings, confirm with the relevant authority whether a declaration of performance stating its reaction-to-fire class is required; if applicable, obtain it and match it to the sheath marking. Confirm whether electrical safety regulations apply to the cable's rated voltage and intended use. Hazardous-substance rules cover electrical and electronic equipment, including its cables, unless specifically excluded. Request material test reports for the actual sheath, insulation, solder and plating.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5,000 terminated coaxial connecting leads; values are illustrative under 8544 20 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
Construction: strip bulk samples and compare centre conductor, dielectric, foil and braid with the approved cross-section and material specification.
Signal performance: measure attenuation and impedance against the agreed frequency range; retain results linked to the sampled batch.
Terminations: check connector mating, centre-contact position, crimp security, strain relief, continuity and isolation between conductor and shield.
Arrival: check reel lengths, lead lengths, batch identification, sheath printing and packaging for crushing or tight bends. Use quality inspection to agree the inspection stages.
What goes wrong
A lead can pass a continuity check while failing its signal specification. Reduced braid coverage, a changed dielectric or substituted conductor can increase loss or weaken screening. A connector that fits mechanically can still have the wrong electrical characteristics. Approve a tested assembly and compare production samples with it.
Generic fire-performance paperwork can describe a different sheath compound or cable construction. Match documents to the supplied product, and keep permanent-installation cable separate from ordinary connecting leads when preparing the purchasing specification.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on coaxial cable from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 2% on both coaxial lines. A listed 0% suspension applies only where its conditions are met. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure is recorded.
Does adding connectors change the coaxial cable code?
Heading 8544 includes cable whether or not fitted with connectors. Check the coaxial description and any special vehicle assembly description before choosing the code.
What should I test besides continuity?
Check impedance, attenuation across the agreed frequency range, shield construction and connector performance. Continuity alone does not establish signal performance.
What documents should I request for building cable?
For communication cable permanently installed in buildings, confirm with the relevant authority whether a declaration of performance stating its reaction-to-fire class is required. If applicable, request it and check that it matches the cable and sheath marking.