Sourcing film camera shutter assembly from China
Film camera shutter assemblies from China carry 0% UK duty under the camera-parts line, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty listed. Consumer replacement parts must be safe for sale in Great Britain. Specify the camera interface and verify timing after installation. Cambridge China Bridge sources film camera shutter assemblies.
Camera-parts duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 9006 covers photographic cameras other than cinematographic cameras, flash apparatus and their parts. The camera-parts line 9006 91 00 00 carries 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension listed. The complete-camera rows are classification context, not alternative codes for loose shutter assemblies.
The supplied tariff data attaches a DCMS Export Licence control. Official guidance states that importing objects of cultural interest into Great Britain has no licensing requirement. For vintage assemblies, ask your customs broker to confirm the relevance of the attached control and any requirements for the intended destination.
Confirm the commodity code using drawings, photographs and a description of whether the shipment contains a bare shutter, a lens-mounted assembly or a complete camera. For the wider product family, see medium-format film cameras.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera parts, including film camera shutter assemblies | 9006 91 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Complete non-disposable 35 mm film cameras, for context | 9006 53 80 00 | 0% | None |
| Other complete film cameras, for context | 9006 59 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Complete instant print cameras, for context | 9006 40 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the shutter and camera interface
Identify the camera model and revision, and whether the shutter uses overlapping leaves or travelling curtains. Agree mounting dimensions, fixing positions, aperture clearance, cocking linkage, release travel, flash synchronisation contacts and any electrical connector. State whether lenses, aperture mechanisms, wiring and fixing hardware are included.
Agree exposure-time tolerances, the measurement method and the condition of supplied parts, including whether they are new or refurbished. Approve a sample installed in the intended camera. Consumer replacement parts supplied in Great Britain must be safe; assess accessible edges, stored spring energy and installation hazards alongside exposure performance.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of replacement film camera shutter assemblies for a repair business under 9006 91 00 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,900, so it is £780. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: compare mounting faces, fixings, linkage movement and connector orientation with the approved drawing, then install sampled assemblies in the intended camera.
Timing: measure actual exposure across the opening at the agreed settings, repeat after cocking and release cycles, and check flash synchronisation where fitted.
Light sealing: inspect leaves or curtains for gaps, distortion and pinholes, then check closed-shutter light leakage and make test exposures after installation.
Condition and packing: check for oil on leaves, dust, corrosion, damaged wiring and loose fixings; confirm that packaging protects curtains and release levers.
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What goes wrong
A matching outline can hide a different release linkage or connector arrangement. A shutter may fire on the bench yet bind when mounted because the fixing load distorts its frame. Test the assembled camera as well as the loose component.
Oil migration can make leaves stick, while uneven curtain travel can produce exposure bands. Damaged edges or pinholes can fog film. Keep the approved sample and measurement records, and agree how faulty assemblies will be identified and replaced.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For components and parts, see sourcing for manufacturers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on film camera shutter assemblies from China?
The supplied tariff reading shows 0% under camera-parts code 9006 91 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension listed.
Which commodity code should I use for a replacement shutter?
Start with camera-parts code 9006 91 00 00. Ask your broker to confirm the classification from the assembly drawing and the exact contents of the shipment.
How do I check shutter timing before accepting a batch?
Agree tolerances and a measurement method before ordering. Measure exposure across the opening at the agreed settings, repeat after cycling, and test sampled shutters in the intended camera.
Can I accept a shutter that fits but gives uneven exposures?
Physical fit alone is insufficient. Check exposure uniformity, light leakage and release behaviour against the approved sample before accepting the batch.