Sourcing electric pallet stackers from China
Electric pallet stackers from China carry 4% ordinary UK duty across the relevant lines. A provisional anti-dumping measure is attached, so confirm the case exclusion for the model. Machinery supplied in Great Britain needs conformity assessment and marking. Cambridge China Bridge sources electric pallet stackers.
Duty and classification for electric stackers
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 8427 covers fork-lift trucks and other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment. Electric self-propelled stackers with a lifting height of 1 m or more normally fall under 8427 10 10 90. Hand-propelled machines with electric lifting need separate classification. The table repeats the main code for pedestrian and ride-on configurations and includes the lower-lift boundary.
The relevant lines carry 4% ordinary duty, with no suspensions listed. The supplied tariff data also attaches provisional anti-dumping duty of 71.74% and trade-remedy registration. The reference guide identifies a boom-lift case and an exclusion for goods outside its description. Have your broker confirm that exclusion for the stacker. Waste import and export controls are attached; electric self-propelled lines also carry fluorinated greenhouse gas import control. Ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable requirements.
Confirm the commodity code using the drive system, lifting height and intended function. Do not classify an electrically lifted, manually pushed stacker solely from its sales name. See the wider electric pallet trucks guide and the import duty and VAT guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pedestrian electric self-propelled stackers, lifting height at least 1 m | 8427 10 10 90 | 4% | 71.74% residual anti-dumping (provisional) |
| Electric self-propelled lifting trucks, lifting height below 1 m | 8427 10 90 00 | 4% | 71.74% residual anti-dumping (provisional) |
| Other trucks, including hand-propelled stackers with electric lifting | 8427 90 00 80 | 4% | 71.74% residual anti-dumping (provisional) |
Specify the pallet, mast and battery together
Give the factory your pallet drawing, entry direction, load dimensions, load centre and required stacking height. Specify fork length, outside fork width, support-leg layout, lowered mast height and aisle space. Ask for the capacity chart at the required height, rather than accepting the headline capacity. State whether the operator walks or rides and whether travel is powered.
Specify battery chemistry, capacity, charger supply, connector, battery access and replacement arrangements. Request drawings, test records, an English manual and the declaration for the exact configuration. Before supply in Great Britain, the responsible person must ensure the relevant conformity assessment procedure is carried out and the relevant conformity marking is affixed.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 4 pedestrian electric pallet stackers; illustrative values, with trade-remedy scope to be confirmed under 8427 10 10 90, invoiced at £8,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,200. Duty at 4% is £368. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,568, so it is £1,913.60. Import taxes total £2,281.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £368 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Pallet fit: try the agreed pallet and check fork entry, support-leg clearance and load placement. Arrange quality inspection against the approved drawing.
Mast and hydraulics: check chains, rollers, guards, hose routing and leaks; have qualified personnel test lifting, lowering and load holding against the agreed test procedure.
Travel and controls: check braking, steering, emergency stop and the tiller reversing device where fitted; inspect wheels and listen for abnormal drive noise.
Battery and documents: check the battery and charger match the order, charging works, and the serial plate, capacity chart, manual and declaration identify the delivered configuration.
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What goes wrong
A stacker can match the advertised capacity yet fail your job because capacity falls at the required height or load centre. Support legs can obstruct the pallet, the mast can exceed doorway clearance, and a substituted battery or charger can disrupt charging. Approve the configuration and record these checks before shipment, then repeat the arrival checks before commissioning.
A supplier's service record does not replace the thorough examination required for industrial lift trucks under health and safety law. Arrange the workplace examination separately. A further purchasing error is treating every tariff measure attached to the code as automatically applicable: confirm the boom-lift case scope and declaration treatment for the exact stacker.
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 electric pallet stackers from China?
The relevant tariff lines carry 4% ordinary duty. A 71.74% provisional anti-dumping measure is also attached; confirm the boom-lift case exclusion for your stacker with your customs broker.
Which commodity code covers an electric pallet stacker?
Electric self-propelled stackers lifting 1 m or more normally use 8427 10 10 90. Manually pushed machines with electric lifting need separate classification.
What should I send the factory before ordering?
Send the pallet drawing, load centre, stacking height, doorway clearance and aisle space. Agree the capacity chart, fork and support-leg dimensions, battery and charger.
Does a factory inspection replace a thorough examination?
No. HSE says regular inspections or scheduled servicing are not a thorough examination. Arrange the workplace examination separately from the purchasing inspection.