Sourcing DC-link film capacitors from China
DC-link film capacitors from China carry 0% UK duty under the paper or plastic dielectric line; all supplied heading lines are 0%. Components for finished electrical equipment must support its hazardous-substance compliance. Specify ripple current and operating temperature alongside voltage. Cambridge China Bridge sources DC-link film capacitors.
UK duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 November 2026, heading 8532 covers fixed, variable and adjustable electrical capacitors. Its paper or plastic dielectric line, 8532 25 00 00, is the starting point for complete DC-link plastic-film capacitors. The table also identifies parts and neighbouring categories to rule out; these are not interchangeable descriptions of a DC-link film capacitor.
Every line supplied for goods from China carries 0% duty. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. The power-capacitor line has a specific circuit-frequency and reactive-power description: a supplier calling a DC-link part a power capacitor does not establish that classification.
Confirm the dielectric, whether the shipment contains complete capacitors or parts, and the actual construction before choosing the commodity code. For other capacitor families, see the wider capacitor guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed paper or plastic dielectric capacitors, including DC-link film capacitors | 8532 25 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Capacitor parts, rather than complete DC-link capacitors | 8532 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other fixed capacitors: a boundary check for different dielectric materials | 8532 29 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Power capacitors for 50/60 Hz circuits, at least 0.5 kvar: adjacent category | 8532 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the DC-link operating conditions
Specify capacitance and tolerance, film dielectric, continuous DC voltage, transient conditions, ripple-current spectrum, operating temperature and expected life under those conditions. Request the maker's rating curves and agree how the application will be checked. A capacitance and voltage match alone does not establish suitability for an inverter's DC bus.
Agree case dimensions, mounting points, terminal spacing, connection method and a drawing showing the busbar interface. Identify the full part number and prohibit substitutions without approval. Ask for sample measurements and thermal evaluation in the intended assembly before accepting production stock.
Official guidance says business-to-business component parts are outside the hazardous-substance regulations' scope, but a final assembly within scope must comply, including its components. Obtain part-specific substance declarations and material information to support that assessment.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: An illustrative pilot-stock batch of DC-link film capacitors under 8532 25 00 00, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £18,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £18,600, so it is £3,720. 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
Identity: match manufacturer, full part number, batch markings and supplied documents to the approved sample and purchase specification.
Electrical values: measure capacitance, losses and insulation resistance using the agreed methods and conditions; compare results with the approved datasheet.
Mechanical fit: check terminal spacing, mounting dimensions, thread condition and case damage against the drawing; trial-fit the busbar without forcing connections.
Packing and records: check terminal protection, carton condition and batch traceability; reconcile substance declarations and test records with the delivered parts.
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What goes wrong
A replacement can match capacitance and nominal voltage yet have insufficient ripple-current capability at the intended temperature. Missing rating conditions make comparisons unreliable. Poor terminal alignment can also strain connections during assembly. Resolve these points through an approved datasheet, interface drawing and application sample.
Generic substance declarations and test records for a different part number leave the buyer unable to assess the delivered batch. Keep approval records tied to the exact model and lot, and define acceptance checks before shipment. See the inspection guide.
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 DC-link film capacitors from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 0% under 8532 25 00 00 for fixed paper or plastic dielectric capacitors, with no listed trade remedies, suspensions or attached import controls.
Can I order using capacitance and voltage alone?
Include ripple-current conditions, operating temperature, life expectations and terminal drawings. Ask the maker to show how its ratings apply to your DC-link circuit.
Do business-to-business capacitor components fall within the hazardous-substance rules?
Official guidance says business-to-business component parts are outside scope. A final assembly within scope must comply, including its components, so obtain part-specific substance information.
What should I check when the capacitors arrive?
Check part and batch identity, capacitance, losses, insulation resistance, terminal dimensions, case condition and matching documents against the agreed acceptance specification.