Sourcing emergency lighting fixtures from China
Emergency lighting fixtures from China carry 2% to 4% UK duty across the selected lines, depending on construction and function. Confirm the electrical safety, EMC and hazardous substance requirements applicable to the mains fittings with the relevant authority. Specify battery duration and test operation when mains power fails. Cambridge China Bridge sources emergency lighting fixtures.
Duty depends on the fitting and its materials
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, the selected emergency lighting and illuminated exit sign lines within heading 9405 carried 2% or 4% duty for goods from China. Plastic or ceramic ceiling and wall fittings carried 4%; metal equivalents carried 2%. Other plastic LED fittings and plastic LED signs carried 4%; the selected metal equivalents carried 2%. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure or suspension is recorded for these lines.
The tariff attaches an import control of mercury to 9405 11 40 90. Official guidance says these controls concern intentionally added mercury or mercury compounds. Confirm the requirement for the actual goods from China with your customs broker. The supplied tariff also attaches a DCMS Export Licence entry to the selected lines; ask the broker to confirm its relevance to your import declaration.
These are candidate classifications, not a dedicated emergency lighting code. Confirm mounting, housing material, light source and whether the product is a luminaire or an illuminated sign before choosing the commodity code. See commercial lighting from China for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic or ceramic LED ceiling or wall emergency fittings | 9405 11 40 90 | 4% | None |
| Metal LED ceiling or wall emergency fittings, not hand-made | 9405 11 90 90 | 2% | None |
| Other plastic LED emergency luminaires | 9405 42 31 00 | 4% | None |
| Other metal LED emergency luminaires, not hand-made | 9405 42 39 90 | 2% | None |
| Plastic illuminated LED exit signs, not hand-made | 9405 61 20 90 | 4% | None |
| Metal illuminated LED exit signs, not hand-made | 9405 61 80 90 | 2% | None |
Specify the emergency function and battery system
State whether the fitting stays lit during normal operation or illuminates only when mains power fails. Specify emergency light output, battery duration, charging behaviour, battery chemistry, replacement access, test controls and fault indication. Agree ceiling, wall or recessed mounting, cable entry, enclosure protection and the exit sign artwork and arrow direction.
Confirm with the relevant authority which electrical safety, EMC and hazardous substance restrictions apply to the mains lighting, and whether WEEE producer registration is required for the lamps and luminaires. Request declarations and test reports matching the supplied model and its battery, charger and driver. The importer must ensure that electrical equipment comes with easily understandable English instructions. Arrange testing and certification before approving production.
For installations in England, official fire safety guidance says signage and adequate emergency lighting must be used for routes and exits where necessary. Have the project designer agree the layout and required performance before ordering. A bright sample on mains power does not demonstrate its emergency performance.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 400 metal ceiling emergency fittings; illustrative order with FOB value and freight under 9405 11 90 90, invoiced at £22,000 free on board, with £3,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £25,500. Duty at 2% is £510. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £26,010, so it is £5,202. Import taxes total £5,712; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £510 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Power failure: after the agreed charging procedure, disconnect mains power on sampled fittings and check automatic changeover, emergency output and operation throughout the specified duration.
Battery and charger: compare battery markings, connectors, charger and driver against the approved bill of materials; check recharge behaviour, fault indication and replacement access.
Housing and installation: check mounting brackets, terminal access, cable entries, seals and cover retention against the approved sample and installation drawings.
Signs and documents: check pictograms, arrow direction, illumination uniformity, model identification, declarations, test reports and English instructions against the ordered version.
What goes wrong
A fitting can work on mains power while its battery is disconnected, its charger is faulty or its emergency output is inadequate. An exit sign can arrive with the wrong arrow or uneven illumination. Test production samples in emergency mode rather than accepting a photograph of a lit fitting.
Battery or driver substitutions can invalidate the performance demonstrated by the approved sample. Freeze the bill of materials, require written approval for changes and repeat the agreed emergency tests after any substitution. On arrival, compare sampled goods with the retained sample before releasing stock.
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 emergency lighting from China?
The selected heading 9405 lines carry 2% or 4%. Plastic fittings and signs generally carry 4%; the selected metal equivalents carry 2%. The supplied tariff records no anti-dumping or countervailing measure for these lines.
Do emergency lights and illuminated exit signs use the same code?
Not necessarily. Ceiling and wall luminaires, other electric fittings and illuminated signs have separate tariff lines. Confirm the function, mounting, light source and materials before declaring the goods.
How do I check the claimed battery duration?
Agree the charging procedure and emergency output before ordering. Test production samples with mains power disconnected throughout the specified duration, then check recharge and fault indication.
Which documents should I request from the factory?
Request model-matched declarations, electrical safety and EMC test reports, hazardous substance evidence, English instructions and the approved bill of materials. Check that the battery, charger and driver match the tested configuration.