Sourcing DVB-T2 set-top boxes from China
Screenless DVB-T2 set-top boxes from China carry 0% UK import duty under 8528 71 00 00, with no listed trade remedy. Before sale in Great Britain, the importer must check radio equipment conformity evidence for the supplied model. Cambridge China Bridge sources DVB-T2 set-top boxes.
Screenless receivers carry 0% duty
Heading 8528 includes television reception apparatus, whether or not incorporating radio reception, recording or playback. This guide covers DVB-T2 set-top boxes not designed to incorporate a video display or screen. The table shows product variants sharing the same tariff line, rather than separate commodity codes.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 9 October 2026, code 8528 71 00 00 carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or import control for this line. Import VAT is separate from duty.
Confirm the commodity code against the receiver's actual design and functions before ordering. For products incorporating screens and other goods in this heading, see the monitors, projectors and digital signage guide. For broadcast displays, see our broadcast reference monitor sourcing guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| DVB-T2 receiver without a screen | 8528 71 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify reception, decoding and firmware
Specify DVB-T2 reception explicitly, alongside the video and audio formats the box must decode. Agree aerial connections, television outputs, channel scanning, programme guide, subtitles, audio description and remote control behaviour. Test the sample with the intended UK broadcasts and televisions rather than accepting a factory demonstration alone.
Record the chipset, tuner, firmware version, power supply and supplied accessories in the approved specification. If recording or media playback is included, agree supported storage devices and file formats. Require approval before the factory changes components or firmware.
For Great Britain, the importer must verify manufacturer conformity assessment, technical documentation, the declaration of conformity and the relevant conformity marking. Instructions and safety information must be in understandable English. Obtain hazardous-substance compliance evidence and confirm the applicable ecodesign measures for the receiver and power supply; the importer first placing a regulated product on the market is responsible for compliance.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 300 DVB-T2 set-top boxes without screens under 8528 71 00 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £2,400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £8,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £8,400, so it is £1,680. 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
Reception: scan the intended channels, test weaker signals and check picture, sound, subtitles and audio description against the approved sample.
Firmware: check version, channel order, programme guide, retuning, restart behaviour and any promised recording or playback functions.
Power and connections: test the supplied adaptor, television outputs and remote control; check heat, standby behaviour and recovery after a power interruption.
Identity and packing: match model and batch details to the documents, check English instructions and count accessories. Repeat the functional checks on arrival using the inspection checklist approach.
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What goes wrong
A box can receive a signal yet fail to decode its picture or sound. Other faults include missing channels, incorrect channel order, frozen programme guides, lost settings, unreliable recording and outputs that fail with the buyer's televisions. Write these functions into sample acceptance and shipment inspection.
Component substitutions can leave the supplied receiver or adaptor different from the tested model. Keep an approved sample and component record, compare production units with both, and resolve document mismatches before shipment. Test internet features separately if they are part of the specification.
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 DVB-T2 boxes from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty under 8528 71 00 00 for receivers not designed to incorporate a screen, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Is DVB-T2 reception enough to guarantee compatibility?
No. Test video and audio decoding, channel scanning, programme guide, subtitles and television connections with the broadcasts and equipment your customers will use.
What compliance documents should I request?
Request the declaration of conformity, model-specific technical documentation and conformity assessment evidence, plus hazardous-substance compliance evidence. Check the supplied receiver and adaptor match the documents.
What should I check when the boxes arrive?
Check model and firmware identity, channel reception, picture and sound, remote controls, power supplies and accessories. Test recording and playback where supplied, and compare the units with the approved sample.