Sourcing electric tin openers from China
Domestic electric tin openers from China provisionally fall under 8509 80 00 00 at a flat 2% UK duty. Before selling mains models in Great Britain, confirm the applicable electrical safety requirements with the relevant authority. Match reports to the motor, switch, cable and plug actually supplied. Cambridge China Bridge sources electric tin openers.
UK duty on electric tin openers
Heading 8509 covers domestic electromechanical appliances with a self-contained electric motor, excluding vacuum cleaners. Domestic electric tin openers are candidates for the other-appliances line. The table distinguishes buying formats sharing that line; these are not separate tariff subdivisions. Separately imported parts need their own classification check.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, the supplied lines carried 2% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspensions recorded. The other-appliances line carries an import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases. The available tariff note does not establish the declaration requirement for tin openers; confirm it with your customs broker.
Confirm the commodity code using the model specification, power source and intended domestic use. For the wider appliance family, see own-brand small appliances.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mains-powered domestic electric tin openers | 8509 80 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Parts for domestic electric tin openers, subject to classification | 8509 90 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the cutting mechanism and power source
Agree whether the opener cuts through the lid or around the seam. Supply representative tins with the rim shapes and sizes your customers use. Define how the unit grips the rim, retains the lid, stops and releases after cutting. Specify blade and drive-wheel materials, replaceable cutting-head availability and which components can be removed for cleaning.
For mains models within the scope of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations, check the exact model's technical documentation, declaration of conformity, CE or UKCA marking and importer details. Lock the motor, switch, cable and plug against the tested configuration. Battery models need a separate scope assessment rather than an assumption that the mains safety rules cover them.
Electrical equipment liable to generate electromagnetic disturbance is covered by the electromagnetic compatibility rules, subject to exceptions. Electrical and electronic equipment is also covered by hazardous-substance restrictions, subject to exemptions. Ask your testing adviser to confirm the applicable assessment and documentation for the opener and any supplied charger.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 600 mains-powered electric tin openers, illustrative only under 8509 80 00 00, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £12,600. Duty at 2% is £252. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,852, so it is £2,570.40. Import taxes total £2,822.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £252 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Cutting: test sampled units on the agreed tins; check for slipping, incomplete cuts, lid retention, loose metal fragments and difficult release.
Drive and controls: compare the motor, gears, switch and cutting head with the approved sample; check starting, stopping, unusual noise and performance during repeated opening.
Cleaning and handling: remove and refit the cutting head where designed to do so; check access around the blade, exposed edges and stability during use.
Documents and packing: match model identifiers and ratings to the reports, labels and instructions; check the ordered plug or battery arrangement and inspect delivered units for cracked housings or displaced cutting heads.
What goes wrong
A sample may open a familiar tin but slip on another rim profile. Poor blade alignment or a weak drive can leave an incomplete cut, while awkward cleaning access traps residue. Agree the tin test set and acceptance criteria before bulk production, then repeat the checks on delivered stock.
Component substitutions can leave the supplied appliance outside the configuration described in its test report. Require written approval for changes and compare bulk units with the approved parts list. Arrange testing and certification around the actual model and destination market.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on electric tin openers from China?
The supplied tariff data lists 2% for other domestic electromechanical appliances under 8509 80 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension recorded. Confirm the model's classification.
Do electric tin openers need CE or UKCA marking?
For mains models covered by the electrical safety rules in Great Britain, confirm the applicable conformity assessment and CE or UKCA marking requirements with the relevant authority. Check the declaration and technical documents for the exact model.
What should I test before ordering electric tin openers?
Test the agreed tin rims, complete cutting, lid retention, stopping and release. Check cleaning access and repeated-opening performance, then record the approved cutting head and drive components.
Does the fluorinated-gas tariff control apply to my tin opener?
The supplied tariff data attaches that control to the other-appliances code. Confirm the model-specific declaration requirement with your customs broker rather than assuming an exemption.