Sourcing curtainsider truck bodies from China
Curtainsider truck bodies from China carry 4% UK duty, with no range across the supplied heading lines. The completed goods vehicle needs approval before registration; standard curtain-side superstructures are not designed to secure loads. Cambridge China Bridge sources curtainsider truck bodies.
UK duty on curtainsider truck bodies
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 8707 covers vehicle bodies, including cabs. Ordinary curtainsider truck bodies fall within the other-bodies line, 8707 90 90 00, subject to confirmation for the shipment. The table shows configurations sharing that line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. For the wider heading, see truck bodies and cabs.
The supplied tariff record shows 4% duty on goods from China throughout the heading, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. It also attaches a DCMS Export Licence entry. Official guidance describes cultural-object export licensing for departures from Great Britain. Ask your customs broker to confirm the attached entry and any document waiver for your shipment.
Confirm the commodity code using the chassis application, body drawings and packing list. Describe whether the shipment contains an assembled body, a body kit or separate replacement components. Do not assume that curtains, hardware or panels shipped separately share the complete body's classification.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curtainsider truck bodies with fixed roofs | 8707 90 90 00 | 4% | None |
Chassis fit, curtain operation and load restraint
Supply the chassis manufacturer's mounting instructions and drawings. Agree body length, internal clearance, subframe mounting positions, wheel clearance, rear overhang and body mass. Specify floor construction for the intended cargo and loading equipment, lashing-point locations, headboard construction, roof operation and removable-post arrangement.
Fix curtain fabric, reinforcement, seams, rollers, tracks, buckles and tensioners in the purchase specification. Standard curtain-side superstructures are not designed for load securing. Where body strength forms part of the securing plan, request a report matching the actual body design. BS EN 12642 concerns the entire vehicle structure, rather than the curtain alone.
The completed goods vehicle needs approval before registration. Agree with the chassis supplier and bodybuilder who will supply the approval documents, and check lighting, reflectors, side guards and underrun protection against the finished vehicle's approval requirements.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of curtainsider truck bodies for a bodybuilder under 8707 90 90 00, invoiced at £20,000 free on board, with £6,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £26,800. Duty at 4% is £1,072. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £27,872, so it is £5,574.40. Import taxes total £6,646.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,072 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: measure the delivered subframe, mounting holes, body dimensions and clearances against the approved chassis drawing before fitting.
Curtains and hardware: open and close the curtains, operate tensioners and buckles, and check seams, roller travel, post locks and rear-door alignment.
Structure and floor: inspect welds, fasteners, corrosion protection, floor joints and lashing-point attachments; compare strength reports with the supplied construction.
Arrival and packing: check roof and door seals for water entry, photograph bent tracks or crushed posts, and reconcile loose fittings and assembly instructions with the packing list. Use quality inspection guidance to agree the report.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A body can match the advertised length but miss the chassis mounting points or obstruct wheel clearance. Curtain tracks can distort during shipping, buckles can fail to hold tension, and rear doors can sag. Approve the installation drawing before production and repeat fit and operating checks on arrival.
A curtain strength claim can be mistaken for evidence about the complete body. Match reports to the headboard, posts, roof, rear doors and attachments supplied, and agree the intended cargo-securing arrangement with the operator. Resolve missing approval documents before the completed vehicle is presented for registration.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on curtainsider truck bodies from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 4% duty under 8707 90 90 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. Confirm the classification for your shipment.
Does an imported curtainsider body need vehicle approval?
The completed goods vehicle needs approval before registration. Agree the approval route and document responsibilities with the chassis supplier and bodybuilder before ordering.
Can standard curtains secure the load?
The standard curtain-side superstructure is not designed for load securing. Agree a cargo-securing arrangement and obtain matching evidence where body strength is part of that arrangement.
What should I send the Chinese body factory?
Send chassis drawings and mounting instructions, cargo and loading details, floor and curtain specifications, hardware requirements and the agreed inspection and approval-document checklist.