Sourcing fire-engine crew cabs from China
Fire-engine crew cabs from China carry 4% UK duty across the relevant tariff lines. Confirm the commodity code and whether the completed vehicle needs approval or qualifies for an exemption before ordering. Fix chassis mounts, crew seating and door access in the specification. Cambridge China Bridge sources fire-engine crew cabs.
Buying from China for a business? How our UK China sourcing agent service works · China sourcing agent for small orders and first imports
4% duty on fire-engine crew cabs
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 8707 covers vehicle bodies, including cabs. For fire-engine crew cabs, the relevant supplied lines are 8707 90 10 00 for industrial assembly of special-purpose vehicles and 8707 90 90 00 for other bodies and cabs. The table shows shell and fitted configurations sharing these codes; they are not separate tariff subdivisions.
Both relevant lines carry 4% duty on goods from China. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. It attaches a cultural-object export licence control. Official guidance says cultural objects have no import licensing requirement into Great Britain; ask your customs broker to confirm how the attached export control affects the proposed transaction.
Confirm the commodity code against the cab's condition and intended assembly use before ordering. Do not choose the industrial-assembly line simply because a cab will be fitted in a workshop. Separately shipped doors and panels may fall elsewhere. See the wider truck bodies and cabs guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire-engine crew-cab shells for industrial assembly | 8707 90 10 00 | 4% | None |
| Fire-engine crew-cab shells, other | 8707 90 90 00 | 4% | None |
Chassis fit, crew seating and access
Send the factory the chassis manufacturer's mounting drawings and agree the cab envelope, mounting brackets, steering position, floor openings and clearance to surrounding equipment. Specify whether the supply is a bare shell or includes glazing, doors, seats, restraints, trim and wiring. Record the cab mass and identify the drawings used to approve the design.
Set out crew seating, restraint anchorage positions, equipment stowage and access while wearing protective clothing. Agree step surfaces, grab handles, door opening clearance and drainage. Some vehicles do not need vehicle approval: ask the UK bodybuilder to establish the completed vehicle's approval or exemption position before production, and identify the documents and tests needed for that project.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small batch of fire-engine crew-cab shells for a vehicle bodybuilder under 8707 90 90 00, invoiced at £150,000 free on board, with £9,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £159,500. Duty at 4% is £6,380. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £165,880, so it is £33,176. Import taxes total £39,556; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £6,380 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: measure mounting positions, bracket geometry, floor openings and cab dimensions against the agreed chassis drawings before dispatch and again on arrival.
Structure: check welds, joints, corrosion protection and seating reinforcement against the drawings; match any structural test reports to the supplied design.
Access: operate doors, locks, steps and grab handles; check the seating layout and equipment clearance with the intended protective clothing.
Sealing and delivery: water-test glazing and door seals, inspect wiring protection, and check packing, distortion, missing fittings and transport damage. Agree the scope through quality inspection.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A cab can match the chassis width yet miss its mounting points or foul equipment behind it. Late changes to seats, restraint anchors or door openings can undermine the agreed design evidence. Poor seals admit water, exposed joints corrode and packing supports can distort the shell. Resolve drawing discrepancies before shipment and record arrival damage before fitting the cab.
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 fire-engine crew cabs from China?
The supplied UK Trade Tariff record gives 4% on both relevant crew-cab lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
Which commodity code covers a fire-engine crew cab?
The relevant supplied lines are 8707 90 10 00 for industrial assembly and 8707 90 90 00 for other bodies and cabs. Confirm the assembly use and shipment condition with your customs broker.
Does a fire-engine crew cab need vehicle approval?
Establish the approval or exemption position for the completed vehicle with the UK bodybuilder. Some vehicles do not need approval; importing a cab alone does not settle the completed vehicle's position.
What should I send a Chinese crew-cab factory?
Send chassis mounting drawings, the cab envelope, steering position, seating and restraint layout, access requirements, equipment clearances and a list of included fittings.