Sourcing commercial television sets from China
Commercial television sets from China carry UK duty of 2% for monochrome sets and 14% for colour sets, including LCD televisions. Televisions within scope must meet display ecodesign requirements. Specify reception, hotel controls and panel quality before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources commercial television sets.
Television duty depends on the type of set
Heading 8528 covers monitors, projectors and television reception apparatus. This guide focuses on complete commercial television sets for hotels, reception areas and other business premises. For the surrounding product categories, see our monitors, projectors and digital signage guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 9 October 2026, colour television sets from China carried 14% duty and monochrome sets carried 2%. The television lines in the supplied tariff data show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. Import VAT is normally 20%; see import duty and VAT.
Confirm the commodity code against the actual screen technology, reception apparatus and any incorporated video recorder or reproducer. A factory description such as commercial display is insufficient to choose between a television and a monitor. For gaming displays, see our gaming monitor sourcing guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colour television sets with liquid crystal screens | 8528 72 40 00 | 14% | None |
| Other colour television sets | 8528 72 80 00 | 14% | None |
| Colour televisions incorporating a video recorder or reproducer | 8528 72 20 00 | 14% | None |
| Monochrome television sets | 8528 73 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify reception and hotel controls
Specify screen size, resolution, panel maker and grade, brightness, viewing angle, mounting holes and intended daily operation. Agree a written pixel defect policy. Name the required broadcast reception, aerial connections, external inputs and sound outputs, then test the sample with the equipment used at the destination.
For hotel use, specify channel-list copying, start-up channel, volume restriction, menu locking and recovery after power interruption. Agree whether guest accounts and stored settings can be cleared between stays. Confirm that replacement remotes operate the supplied firmware.
Televisions within scope must meet display ecodesign requirements. An ecodesign declaration of conformity must be supported by technical documentation. Energy-label suppliers must produce labels, product fiches and supporting technical documentation. Obtain evidence for the exact model and power supply; use testing and certification support to review it.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 300 commercial LCD television sets, illustrative order under 8528 72 40 00, invoiced at £36,000 free on board, with £2,400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £38,400. Duty at 14% is £5,376. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £43,776, so it is £8,755.20. Import taxes total £14,131.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £5,376 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Picture: power units at inspection and on arrival; check bright and dark pixels, backlight bleed, colour uniformity and damage against the agreed sample.
Reception and controls: tune channels using the intended signal source; check sound, external inputs, remote operation, hotel locks and settings after power interruption.
Documents: match model identifiers across reports, the energy label and product information sheet. Check safety and electromagnetic compatibility reports for the supplied set and power supply. The importer must ensure equipment comes with instructions in easily understandable English.
Mounting and packing: check mounting holes, stand fixings, remotes and cables; inspect carton corners, cushioning and screen protection before shipment and when unpacking.
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What goes wrong
A set can display a picture yet fail the installation: channels cannot be tuned with the site's signal, hotel locks disappear after a reset, replacement remotes do not work, or external sources lose picture or sound. Test the approved sample in the intended installation and preserve its settings and firmware description in the purchase specification.
Panel substitutions can introduce uneven colour or extra pixel faults, while weak cushioning can leave cracked screens inside apparently intact cartons. Match production against the approved panel and packing specification, and record unpacking damage before fitting the sets.
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 commercial televisions from China?
Colour television sets, including LCD sets, carry 14% duty; monochrome sets carry 2%. The supplied television lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Does a commercial television need ecodesign evidence?
Yes, if it is within the display rules' scope. Ask for model-specific ecodesign evidence and check the energy label and product information sheet against the supplied set.
What should I specify for hotel televisions?
Specify reception, channel copying, start-up behaviour, volume limits, menu locks, guest-setting clearance and replacement remotes. Test these on the approved sample.
How do I agree acceptable dead pixels?
Write the permitted bright and dark pixel defects into the purchase specification, then check powered production sets against that policy and the approved sample.