Sourcing computer keyboards from China

Computer keyboard duty and classification

Heading 8471 covers automatic data-processing machines and their units. Computer keyboards have the dedicated line 8471 60 60 00. The table shows keyboard variants sharing that line, rather than separate tariff classifications.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, computer keyboards from China carried 0% duty. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for this line. Import VAT still applies, normally at 20%.

Confirm the finished product and any bundled accessories through finding your commodity code. For computers and other peripherals, see the wider sourcing guide. For pointing devices, see our computer trackball sourcing guide.

Specify the layout, switches and connection

Approve the actual UK layout, including the pound symbol, Enter key shape and punctuation positions. Specify switch model, keycap material, printed legends, cable connector, adjustable feet and operating-system compatibility. For wireless keyboards, agree the receiver, pairing method, battery type and charging connection. Keep an approved sample and require agreement before component changes. For companion peripherals, see our guide to sourcing computer mice.

For Great Britain, electrical equipment importers must check manufacturer details and conformity marking under the hazardous-substance rules. Radio equipment rules apply to radio-enabled wireless keyboards. Ask for model-matched declarations and supporting test reports through testing and certification. For wired apparatus, relevant instructions must be in English.

A UK business importing keyboards for resale must register annually as an electrical-equipment producer. Agree who handles registration before selling the batch.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of wired computer keyboards for business resale under 8471 60 60 00, invoiced at £8,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,200, so it is £1,840. 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

Layout: compare key shapes, legends and typed characters with the approved UK sample.

Typing: test every key, repeated presses, held keys and the agreed simultaneous-key combinations on the intended computers.

Connection: check cable fit, receiver matching, pairing, reconnection after sleep and charging behaviour where fitted.

Build and documents: check keycap seating, stabiliser rattle, feet, casing joints and model references against the approved sample and documents. Include these checks in the inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A familiar-looking keyboard can have the wrong physical layout or legends that do not match the characters typed. Changed switches, loose stabilisers and inconsistent keycap printing can also make a batch differ from the approved sample. Record defects by batch and compare replacement parts with the original specification.

Wireless samples can pair successfully while production units have mismatched receivers or unreliable wake-up behaviour. Test finished units with their supplied receivers. Check that the document model references match the keyboard being shipped, especially after a radio module or circuit-board change.

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.