Sourcing electric arc lighters from China
Electric arc lighters and their dedicated parts from China carry 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded. Consumer models must be safe for the Great Britain market. Check battery documents, charging and accidental activation before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources electric arc lighters.
UK duty on electric arc lighters
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 9 November 2026, heading 9613 covers cigarette lighters and other lighters, including electrical models, and parts other than flints and wicks. Complete electric arc lighters fall within “Other lighters”, code 9613 80 00 00. The table shows product formats sharing that code, alongside dedicated lighter parts.
The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty for goods from China on these lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions. The complete-lighter line attaches CITES import and export controls. Check whether casing materials or decoration contain listed species; confirm the applicable permits and any restrictions with your customs broker before shipping.
Confirm the commodity code against the finished product and classify separately supplied parts on their own description. See the wider lighters guide for other lighter types and the UK duty and VAT guide for the tax calculation.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rechargeable pocket electric arc lighters | 9613 80 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Dedicated electric arc lighter parts | 9613 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the arc, charging system and safety lock
Specify the electrode layout, access to a candle wick, handle length, neck movement, charging connector, battery model and capacity, charge indicator, activation sequence and automatic shut-off behaviour. Agree casing materials, hinge construction, finish and packaging. Keep an approved sample and a component list so production changes can be checked.
Consumer products must be safe for the Great Britain market. Assess electromagnetic compatibility because the rules cover electrical equipment liable to generate electromagnetic disturbance, subject to exceptions. Electrical equipment is also within the hazardous-substance rules unless specifically excluded. Ask your laboratory to confirm the scope and review evidence for the finished lighter, including its charging circuit.
Rechargeable arc lighters contain lithium batteries: obtain the battery transport test summary identified in the wider guide and agree acceptance with the carrier. Confirm with the relevant UK authorities whether waste electrical equipment and battery producer duties apply to your business. Review these before ordering through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2,500 rechargeable pocket electric arc lighters under 9613 80 00 00, invoiced at £27,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £29,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £29,500, so it is £5,900. 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
Activation: check the agreed lock and lid interlock, where fitted; confirm the arc stops when released and the agreed automatic shut-off works.
Charging: use the agreed cable and power source; check connector retention, charge indication, battery swelling and unusual heating.
Construction: compare electrode alignment, wick access, neck movement, hinge strength and casing finish with the approved sample.
Documents and packing: match the battery and circuit to the reviewed records; check instructions, identification and protection against activation in transit. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspector.
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What goes wrong
An arc that looks convincing in a factory video may be difficult to position around a recessed candle wick. Other failure points include loose charging sockets, misaligned electrodes, sticking activation switches and flexible necks that lose their position. Test the intended use with production samples and repeat those checks on arrival.
A substituted cell or charging board can make the reviewed documents a poor match for the shipment. Freeze the approved component list, ask the factory to disclose proposed changes and hold affected stock for review. Keep battery transport paperwork tied to the installed cell rather than accepting a generic factory document.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on electric arc lighters from China?
The tariff record read on 9 November 2026 shows 0% duty for complete electric arc lighters under 9613 80 00 00 and parts under 9613 90 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure.
What should I ask a Chinese electric lighter factory for?
Ask for the battery model, component list, charging specification, activation and shut-off details, finished-model test evidence and an approved production sample.
Can rechargeable arc lighters ship as ordinary cargo?
They contain lithium batteries. Obtain the battery transport test summary and agree the shipment, packaging and documents with a carrier that accepts the goods before booking.
How do I check electric arc lighters when they arrive?
Check charging, unusual heating, electrode alignment, wick access, lock operation and shut-off. Compare the battery, circuit, casing and packaging with the approved sample and reviewed records.