Sourcing generators from China: duty and noise
Diesel and petrol generating sets from China pay 0% UK duty at every power band, with no anti-dumping duty. Power generators under 400 kW and welding generators have legal outdoor noise limits, so the noise test and label come with the order, as do the engine's emission approval and electrical safety evidence. Cambridge China Bridge sources generators for hire fleets, sites and resellers.
Diesel and petrol generator sets pay 0% UK duty from China. Power generators under 400 kW have legal noise limits, and engine and electrical checks matter.
Zero duty at every size
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, generating sets with diesel engines up to 7.5 kVA and from 7.5 to 75 kVA, and with spark-ignition engines up to 7.5 kVA and from 7.5 to 375 kVA, all carried 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Generators are heavy and often crated, so the container load and the crate size decide much of the landed price. Confirm the commodity code by engine type and output.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel generating sets up to 7.5 kVA | 8502 11 20 90 | 0% | None |
| Diesel generating sets over 7.5 kVA up to 75 kVA | 8502 11 80 90 | 0% | None |
| Petrol generating sets up to 7.5 kVA | 8502 20 20 90 | 0% | None |
| Petrol generating sets over 7.5 kVA up to 375 kVA | 8502 20 40 90 | 0% | None |
Noise limits
The Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001 list power generators under 400 kW and welding generators in Schedule 1, among the equipment subject to noise limits as well as noise marking. The permissible level depends on the electrical power, so ask the factory for the noise test report for each model and check the guaranteed sound power level on the label against it.
Canopied, silent generators exist for exactly this reason. A factory that sells an open-frame set into markets without these limits may need a different canopy or silencer for the UK; name the tested configuration in the product specification.
Engine, electrics and documents
Generator engines fall under the non-road engine emission rules, so ask for the engine's emission approval and the engine plate details, and check them against the unit at inspection. As machinery and electrical equipment, a generator also needs the machinery conformity assessment and electrical safety evidence; the CE and UKCA guide lists what to ask for.
For site and hire use, check the socket types and residual current protection against what your customers use, the earthing arrangement, and whether the alternator is brushless. Run a load test on a sample from every batch.
Parts and service
A generator is judged on how long it keeps running. Order filters, spark plugs, starter parts and a service kit with the first shipment, and ask the factory how long it will supply the same engine and alternator.
Cambridge China Bridge sources diesel and petrol generators for hire fleets, sites and resellers, with the noise, engine and electrical documents checked and a load test before shipment. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on generators from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, diesel and petrol generating sets carried 0% duty from China at every power band checked, with no anti-dumping duty.
Do generators have noise limits in the UK?
Yes. The 2001 outdoor equipment noise regulations list power generators under 400 kW and welding generators in Schedule 1, which sets limits by electrical power and requires a noise mark.
What documents should come with an imported generator?
The noise test report and label, the engine's emission approval, the machinery conformity documents and electrical safety evidence.
How should generators be checked before shipment?
Check the engine plate against the approval, the sockets, earthing and residual current protection, and run a load test on a sample from every batch.