Sourcing drone and aircraft parts from China
Parts of aircraft, helicopters, drones, kites and spacecraft from China, including propellers, rotors, undercarriages and airframe parts, pay 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. Drone parts matter most for class-marked drones sold from 2026, and parts for certified civil aircraft need an authorised release certificate to be fitted. Cambridge China Bridge sources drone and aircraft parts.
Propellers, rotors, undercarriages and other parts of drones and aircraft pay 0% UK duty from China. Class marks and release certificates explained.
Zero duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, propellers and rotors, undercarriages, other parts of aeroplanes, helicopters or unmanned aircraft, parts of kites and spacecraft, and other parts of heading 8807 carried 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. Separate lines for civil aircraft use are also 0% but carry end-use conditions.
Motors, batteries, cameras and flight controllers have their own headings; confirm the commodity code for each part.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Propellers and rotors and parts, other | 8807 10 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Undercarriages and parts, other | 8807 20 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Other parts of aeroplanes, helicopters or unmanned aircraft | 8807 30 00 99 | 0% | None |
| Parts of kites | 8807 90 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Parts of spacecraft, other than telecommunication satellites | 8807 90 29 00 | 0% | None |
| Other parts, other | 8807 90 90 90 | 0% | None |
Drones and class marks
The CAA says new models of drone placed on the UK market from 1 January 2026 need a UK class mark from UK0 to UK6, and it acts as market surveillance authority for manufacturers, importers and distributors. Spare propellers and frames should match the approved configuration of the drone they are sold for.
The drones guide covers complete drones, remote ID and radio rules.
Certified aircraft parts
Parts for certified civil aircraft can only be fitted with an authorised release certificate from an approved production or maintenance organisation. Buy such parts only from approved sources, and keep the certificate with the part.
Model aircraft and kite parts are consumer products under general product safety law.
Inspection
Check balance and weight on propellers, dimensions and material certificates on frames and landing gear, and packaging against damage. The inspection guide covers sampling.
Cambridge China Bridge sources drone and aircraft parts, with class mark fit and certificates settled before the order. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on drone parts from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, propellers, rotors, undercarriages and other parts of unmanned aircraft carried 0% duty from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
Do drones need a UK class mark?
The CAA says new drone models placed on the UK market from 1 January 2026 need a UK class mark from UK0 to UK6.
Can I sell Chinese parts for certified aircraft?
Only with an authorised release certificate from an approved organisation; without it the part cannot be fitted to a certified aircraft.
Are drone motors and batteries in heading 8807?
No. Motors, batteries, cameras and flight controllers have their own headings.