Sourcing computer chassis from China

Duty on bare computer chassis

Heading 8473 covers parts and accessories principally or solely for the machines described in the heading, excluding covers, carrying cases and similar articles. Bare computer chassis are candidates for 8473 30 80 00, the other computer parts line. The table shows chassis types sharing that line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, this line carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or import control for this line. Waste controls appear on other lines within the heading; if importing discarded chassis, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable requirement.

Confirm the commodity code against drawings and the actual contents of the shipment. Power supplies and separately supplied cables may classify elsewhere. See the computer parts and components guide for the wider product family.

Motherboard fit, clearances and panel construction

Specify the motherboard format and mounting-hole drawing, rear connector opening, expansion-card space, cooler clearance, power-supply position and cable-routing space. Record which fans, switches, cables and screws are included. Assemble the approved sample with the intended components and retain it as the production reference. For server builds, see our server CPU heat sink sourcing guide.

Agree sheet material, thickness, finish, panel attachment, ventilation layout and removable filter construction. For glass panels, agree the glass specification, edge finish, fixing method and protective packing. Importers supplying consumer chassis are responsible for their safety; include accessible edges, panel retention and stability in the review. For cash register enclosures, see our cash register housing sourcing guide.

If fans, lighting, controllers or a power supply are included, ask for a separate compliance review of the supplied configuration through testing and certification. Do not approve a changed configuration solely because the empty enclosure passed a fit check.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 150 bare tower computer chassis under 8473 30 80 00, invoiced at £6,300 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,800, so it is £1,560. 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

Fit: install the intended motherboard, power supply, cooler and expansion card; check mounting positions, connector access, cable routes and panel closure.

Metalwork: check accessible edges for burrs, threaded holes for damaged threads, panel alignment, coating coverage and signs of corrosion.

Glass and fittings: check panel edges, cracks, secure attachment, hinges, feet, filters and the supplied screw pack against the approved sample.

Packing: check corner protection, separation of loose fittings and glass, carton condition and chassis distortion after unpacking. Record findings at inspection.

What goes wrong

A chassis can match the photograph but fail assembly because standoffs, connector openings or card clearances differ. Thin panels flex, poorly formed threads strip, sharp edges cut hands or cables, and coating defects expose metal. Require approval before the factory changes tooling, material or fittings.

Glass panels and projecting corners are vulnerable during handling. Loose screws can scratch finishes, while cartons that allow movement can arrive with bent frames. Check the unpacked chassis with the intended components before releasing it to stock, and photograph damage before discarding packing.

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.