Sourcing commercial washer-extractors from China
Commercial washer-extractors and washing-machine parts within heading 8450 carry 2% UK duty from China, with no duty variation across the supplied lines. New machinery placed on the Great Britain market needs CE or UKCA marking, a declaration of conformity and English instructions. Cambridge China Bridge sources commercial washer-extractors.
Duty and classification for commercial washers
Heading 8450 covers household or laundry-type washing machines, including machines that both wash and dry, and their parts. For commercial washer-extractors, distinguish dry linen capacity, automatic operation and loading arrangement. The table includes smaller commercial machines, larger laundry machines and parts. See the wider washing-machine guide for the broader heading.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, every supplied line carries 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. These tariff findings do not replace product safety checks.
Give your customs broker the model specification, dry linen capacity and operating description to confirm the commodity code. A commercial sales description alone does not establish classification.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fully automatic front-loading washers, dry linen capacity up to 6 kg | 8450 11 11 00 | 2% | None |
| Fully automatic washers, dry linen capacity over 6 kg up to 10 kg | 8450 11 90 00 | 2% | None |
| Laundry washing machines, dry linen capacity over 10 kg | 8450 20 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Parts for household or laundry-type washing machines | 8450 90 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the wash, extraction and installation
Specify dry linen capacity, intended fabrics, wash programmes, extraction performance and the moisture remaining after spin. Agree whether the machine has a rigid mounting arrangement or suspended drum, and obtain foundation, anchoring and service-access drawings. Match the electrical supply, heating method, water connections, drainage and detergent dosing to the intended laundry.
New machinery placed on the Great Britain market must have CE or UKCA marking, a declaration of conformity and English instructions. Machinery compliance also includes essential health and safety requirements and conformity assessment. Ask for supporting safety evidence for the exact model, including its door locking and drum stopping arrangements.
Confirm with the relevant product-safety authority how household ecodesign provisions and the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 apply to the proposed model. Establish which regime covers it rather than assuming a household energy label proves a commercial machine suitable.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 6 commercial washer-extractors, each over 10 kg dry linen capacity under 8450 20 00 00, invoiced at £60,000 free on board, with £6,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £66,000. Duty at 2% is £1,320. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £67,320, so it is £13,464. Import taxes total £14,784; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,320 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity and documents: match the model, serial identification, electrical data and fitted controls to the order, declaration and English installation instructions.
Door and drum: have a competent tester check door locking, prevention of operation with the door open, and release after drum movement has stopped.
Loaded operation: run wash, drain and extraction programmes with representative laundry; record leakage, vibration, bearing noise, drainage and the agreed extraction result.
Installation and spares: check anchor fittings, transit restraints, hose connections and access for servicing; verify door seals, belts, drain components and control boards against the parts list at inspection.
What goes wrong
A machine may wash satisfactorily yet vibrate heavily during extraction because the load, suspension or installation does not match the intended use. Door seals and water connections leak, bearings become noisy, and drain components block. Agree a loaded acceptance test and inspect the installation drawings before approving production.
A different motor, controller or door lock can leave the delivered machine inconsistent with the evidence supplied. Freeze the approved configuration and agree how substitutions will be reviewed. Order identifiable service parts, and make transit-restraint removal prominent in the installation instructions.
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 commercial washer-extractors from China?
The supplied heading 8450 lines carry 2% duty from China, including machines over 10 kg dry linen capacity and washing-machine parts. No trade remedies, suspensions or import controls are listed.
Do commercial washer-extractors need CE or UKCA marking?
New machinery placed on the Great Britain market must be CE or UKCA marked, supplied with a declaration of conformity and accompanied by English instructions.
Does a commercial washer need a household energy label?
Confirm with the relevant product-safety authority how household ecodesign provisions and the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 apply to the proposed model before accepting household label data.
What should I test before accepting a washer-extractor?
Check door locking and safe release, then run representative loaded wash, drain and extraction cycles. Compare leakage, vibration, bearing noise and remaining moisture with the agreed specification.