Sourcing electronic accordions from China
Electronic accordions from China carry a flat 2% UK import duty under 9207 90 90 00, with no trade remedies or suspensions recorded. Before selling in Great Britain, check electromagnetic compatibility and the supplied mains adapter's electrical safety evidence. Cambridge China Bridge sources electronic accordions.
Electronic accordion duty and classification
Heading 9207 covers musical instruments whose sound is produced, or must be amplified, electrically. Electronic accordions belong in the other electric instruments line, 9207 90 90 00. The table shows configurations sharing that line, rather than separate tariff categories. The keyboard branch expressly excludes accordions.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the relevant line carries 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or import control for this line. It lists a DCMS Export Licence measure, which concerns exports; confirm its application with your customs broker if exporting the instrument.
Confirm the sound-generation method and complete instrument specification using finding your commodity code. For other instruments within the heading, see electronic organs.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic accordions with piano keys | 9207 90 90 00 | 2% | None |
Specify bellows response and playing layout
Specify piano keys or treble buttons, the bass and chord layout, bellows resistance, pressure-sensitive volume response, sound sets and register controls. Agree the supplied adapter, speaker arrangement, headphone and amplifier connections, straps, case and instructions. Have an accordion player approve the sample while opening and closing the bellows.
For Great Britain sales, establish electromagnetic compatibility evidence for the instrument, and confirm with the relevant authority what electrical safety evidence and conformity marking are required for its mains adapter and what conformity marking applies to the instrument. The importer must be able to demonstrate compliance with restrictions on hazardous substances when the enforcement authority requests evidence. Commercial imports also bring waste electrical equipment obligations; register as a producer annually.
Ask the supplier to identify any wireless functions and supplied batteries before approving the specification. Use testing and certification support to establish the checks for the actual configuration.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: A small trial batch of electronic accordions; illustrative values, not a quotation under 9207 90 90 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,900. Duty at 2% is £138. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,038, so it is £1,407.60. Import taxes total £1,545.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £138 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Playing response: operate every treble key or button and every bass control; check missed notes, sticking and unintended repeated notes.
Bellows and sound: compare volume response while pushing and pulling, test register changes and sustained chords, and listen for speaker distortion or cabinet rattles.
Power and documents: match the adapter, plug, polarity, rating and model identification to the approved sample and compliance documents; test every supplied audio connection.
Straps and packing: check strap anchors, bellows folds, casing and padding, then repeat the playing checks after unpacking. Define these checks in the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A convincing sound demonstration can hide uneven bellows sensing, sticking bass buttons or notes that continue after release. Test quiet playing, sustained chords and changes of bellows direction. Check whether any apparent dead note is a control fault, a sound-setting issue or an output connection problem.
A substituted adapter, loose strap anchor or crushed bellows can make an otherwise playable instrument unusable. Retain the approved sample and accessory list, prevent unapproved substitutions, and inspect the instrument again after its transport packing has been opened.
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 electronic accordions from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 2% under 9207 90 90 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
Do electronic accordions use the keyboard instrument code?
The keyboard branch excludes accordions. Electronic accordions fall within the other electric instruments line, 9207 90 90 00; confirm the actual product specification before declaring it.
What compliance evidence should I request?
Request electromagnetic compatibility evidence for the instrument, electrical safety evidence for its mains adapter and hazardous-substance compliance evidence, all matched to the supplied model.
How should I test an electronic accordion sample?
Have a player test every treble and bass control, bellows response in both directions, register changes, sustained chords, speakers and external audio connections.