Sourcing dropside truck bodies from China
Dropside truck bodies from China carry 4% UK duty across the listed body codes, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm with the relevant vehicle approval authority whether the completed vehicle needs approval before registration; dropsides alone cannot secure cargo. Cambridge China Bridge sources dropside truck bodies.
UK duty on dropside truck bodies
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 8707 covers bodies, including cabs, for vehicles of headings 8701 to 8705. Ordinary goods-vehicle dropside bodies generally fall under 8707 90 90 00. The table repeats this code for different body specifications; these are not separate tariff lines. The industrial assembly code has restricted vehicle and engine conditions, so confirm eligibility before using it.
The supplied tariff record shows 4% duty on goods from China for every listed line, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions. It also attaches a DCMS Export Licence control. Official guidance states that importing cultural objects into Great Britain has no licensing requirement. Ask your customs broker to confirm how the recorded export control applies to your shipment.
Confirm the commodity code using the chassis application, body drawings and whether the shipment is a complete body, a body kit or separate components. Separate panels and tail lifts may belong elsewhere. See the flatbed truck bodies guide for the wider product family.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete steel dropside truck bodies, other | 8707 90 90 00 | 4% | None |
| Dropside bodies for qualifying industrial assembly | 8707 90 10 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the chassis fit and folding sides
Send the factory the chassis manufacturer's mounting instructions and a drawing showing wheelbase, mounting points, cab clearance and rear overhang. Agree deck dimensions, body mass, intended cargo, floor material, crossmembers and corrosion protection. Define side height, removable posts, hinge positions, latch design and how lowered sides clear wheels and guards.
Confirm with the relevant vehicle approval authority whether approval of the completed vehicle is needed before registration, including any requirements for lighting, side guards and underrun protection, and agree who handles any required approval. Dropsides alone cannot secure a load. Attachment points must withstand the expected loads, so specify their positions and request strength evidence for the proposed anchorage design. Record the intended restraint and covering arrangements alongside the body drawing.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 4 complete dropside truck bodies; illustrative order values 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
Chassis fit: measure mounting centres, subframe alignment, deck squareness and cab clearance against the approved drawings before shipment and again on arrival.
Sides and latches: lower and raise each panel, check hinge alignment and pin retention, and confirm that latches engage without forcing or panel distortion.
Floor and structure: inspect crossmembers, welds, fasteners, floor joints and coating coverage, especially beneath the deck and around hinges.
Anchorage and packing: compare attachment points with the agreed drawing and strength evidence. Check that packing supports the subframe and protects panels, posts and fittings; reconcile loose components on arrival.
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What goes wrong
A body can match the advertised chassis model yet miss its actual mounting layout. Heavy floors reduce the payload available after fitting, distorted posts stop latches closing, and poorly protected hinges corrode or seize. Freeze the mounting drawing, material schedule and approved latch sample before production.
Another failure is treating raised sides as the cargo restraint system. Official guidance says they cannot secure the load by themselves. Resolve anchorage design and completed-vehicle approval with the bodybuilder before ordering, then use a quality inspection to check the agreed specification.
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 dropside truck bodies from China?
The supplied tariff record, read on 30 September 2026, shows 4% for the relevant body codes, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.
Does fitting an imported dropside body need vehicle approval?
Confirm with the relevant vehicle approval authority whether the completed vehicle needs approval before registration. Agree any applicable approval route and responsibility with the bodybuilder and chassis supplier before ordering.
Can raised dropsides secure the cargo?
No. Official guidance says drop or fixed sides cannot secure a load by themselves. Specify suitable attachment points and agree the restraint arrangement for the intended cargo.
What should I send the Chinese body factory?
Send chassis mounting instructions, dimensioned drawings, intended cargo, floor and frame materials, side and latch details, anchorage requirements and a packing specification.