Sourcing DXA bone densitometers from China
DXA bone densitometers and their X-ray tubes and dedicated parts from China carry 0% UK duty under heading 9022. Medical devices need accepted conformity marking and MHRA registration before sale in Great Britain; the operating employer also needs radiation arrangements. Cambridge China Bridge sources DXA bone densitometers.
Zero duty on DXA apparatus and dedicated parts
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 9022 covers X-ray apparatus, tubes and related parts and accessories. Medical DXA bone densitometers fall within the medical X-ray apparatus description. The relevant lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls recorded in the supplied data.
The table separates parts and accessories for purchasing purposes; they share the same commodity line. Elsewhere in heading 9022, the tariff attaches an import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases to 9022 29 00 00, covering other uses of radiation other than X-rays. If declaring goods under that line, the importer should confirm the applicable requirement with their customs broker.
Confirm the commodity code using the intended medical use and the description of each separately imported component. The wider X-ray equipment guide covers other apparatus in this heading. Zero customs duty does not remove import VAT; see UK import duty and VAT.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical X-ray apparatus, including DXA bone densitometers | 9022 14 00 00 | 0% | None |
| X-ray tubes | 9022 30 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Parts dedicated to X-ray apparatus | 9022 90 20 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the DXA scan system and clinical handover
State whether you need hip and spine assessment, peripheral scanning or whole-body analysis. Specify scan modes, patient positioning aids, table capacity, installation space and the calibration phantom supplied. Agree how repeatability will be demonstrated using that phantom, including the test procedure and acceptance criteria, rather than accepting a brochure claim.
Specify English software and instructions, the reference database used for bone-density reports, report formats, export functions, licence ownership and access after installation. Obtain model-specific conformity documents and test reports. Medical devices need accepted UKCA or CE marking and MHRA registration before placement on the Great Britain market. The Chinese manufacturer must appoint a UK Responsible Person.
The Great Britain importer must inform the manufacturer or UK Responsible Person of its intention to import; that party submits the importer's details to the MHRA. Obtain written confirmation before shipment. Use testing and certification support to organise checks of the exact model and supplied configuration.
The operating employer normally needs HSE registration for work with X-ray generators. Confirm with HSE the applicable radiation risk assessment and radiation protection advice requirements. For clinical exposures, the employer must appoint a medical physics expert. Agree installation, radiation surveys, calibration checks, clinical handover and local servicing before ordering.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Four DXA bone densitometers, an illustrative order rather than a quotation under 9022 14 00 00, invoiced at £64,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £68,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £68,000, so it is £13,600. 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 the manufacturer, model, serial marking and supplied configuration to the order and conformity documents; check the English instructions and software licences.
Transport condition: examine the scan arm, table, detector housing and connectors for damage; check positioning aids, phantom and packing inventory before installation.
Measurement: have qualified staff check phantom results, repeatability, scan movement and report export against the agreed acceptance criteria after installation.
Radiation and handover: have specialists check warning signals, protective features and radiation survey results. Official guidance recommends testing before clinical use by staff designated and entitled by the employer, rather than individuals acting purely as the supplier's service engineers.
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What goes wrong
A functioning scanner can still fail acceptance because calibration drifts, positioning accessories are missing, the analysis software uses an unsuitable reference database, or exported reports omit agreed information. Require a demonstration using the supplied phantom and software configuration, then repeat the agreed checks after installation.
Certificates for another model, inaccessible software licences and no local repair support can leave equipment unusable. Agree responsibility for tube and detector replacement, remote access, software updates and restoring calibration after repair. Arrange quality inspection before dispatch, while keeping specialist clinical acceptance in the installation plan.
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 DXA bone densitometers from China?
The supplied tariff data records 0% duty for medical X-ray apparatus under 9022 14 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Relevant X-ray tubes and dedicated parts also carry 0%.
Can I sell a Chinese DXA scanner in Great Britain?
Medical devices need accepted UKCA or CE marking and MHRA registration before market placement. The overseas manufacturer must appoint a UK Responsible Person. Check documents for the exact model.
Does the clinic need HSE registration for a DXA scanner?
Work with X-ray generators normally requires HSE registration. The operating employer also needs radiation protection arrangements; clinical exposures require a medical physics expert.
What should I check when a DXA scanner arrives?
Check transport damage, model identity, positioning aids, the calibration phantom and software access. Arrange specialist installation checks, phantom testing and clinical handover before patient scanning.