Sourcing electric master clocks from China

4% duty for electrically operated clocks

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 9105 covers other clocks. Its electrically operated lines carry 4% duty for goods from China, while other lines carry 2%. The supplied facts record no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. The table shows master-clock variants against the same candidate line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches CITES import control. Official guidance includes items made from animal or plant parts within its definition of a specimen. If the casing contains such materials, have your customs broker confirm the requirement for the shipment from China. The facts also list CITES export control and a cultural-goods export licence measure; these are export entries.

Confirm the commodity code using the complete unit's function, construction and technical literature. Treat 9105 91 00 00 as a candidate for other electrically operated clocks, rather than classifying every timing controller by its sales name. For related clock categories, see wall clocks and alarm clocks.

Specify the timing source and clock outputs

Describe the connected clocks and their interface before requesting a sample. Specify output voltage, polarity, pulse duration, circuit loading, cable arrangement and correction behaviour. For network models, agree the time-source protocol, network settings and behaviour when the source disappears. Record acceptable drift during loss of synchronisation and how the unit restores the connected clocks afterwards.

Agree the enclosure, mounting, terminal identification, power supply and backup arrangement. Mains-powered clocks and mains adaptors need electrical safety evidence. Electromagnetic compatibility rules cover equipment liable to generate electromagnetic disturbance, subject to exceptions. For equipment within the hazardous-substances rules, importers must be able to evidence compliance when requested by the product safety authority. Confirm with the relevant environmental authority whether WEEE obligations apply to the electrically operated clocks and whether battery producer obligations apply to any supplied batteries.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 50 electric master clocks; illustrative order and values under 9105 91 00 00, invoiced at £25,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £26,500. Duty at 4% is £1,060. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £27,560, so it is £5,512. Import taxes total £6,572; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,060 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Timing: compare the master clock with a reference source, interrupt synchronisation and measure drift against the agreed specification. Check time-zone settings and simulate summer-time changes.

Outputs: connect the intended clock models and representative cable runs. Check polarity, pulse shape and correction behaviour under the agreed load, including recovery after a power interruption.

Power and evidence: check the fitted supply and backup against the approved sample. Match electrical safety reports and the declaration of conformity to the supplied model. For mains equipment, the importer must ensure that instructions are in easily understandable English.

Arrival condition: inspect terminals, mounting brackets, enclosure damage and loose internal parts. Check that saved settings survive restart and that the installer can identify every connection from the supplied documentation.

What goes wrong

A master clock can keep accurate time while driving the connected clocks incorrectly. Wrong polarity, incompatible correction pulses or inadequate output capacity can leave displays out of step. A network model may lose its time source after installation, while a backup arrangement may preserve settings but fail to maintain the required timing function.

Test the approved sample with the buyer's actual connected clocks before accepting bulk production. Repeat the agreed functional checks on arrival. Require approval before the factory changes the power supply, output board or firmware, and keep the configuration record with the inspection results.

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.