Sourcing GPS, radar and radio remote controls

0% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, radar apparatus, radio navigational receivers, other radio navigational aid apparatus and radio remote control apparatus carried 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. GPS trackers with a mobile network connection and smartwatches are usually classified as communication apparatus in heading 8517, so confirm the commodity code for connected devices.

Radio rules and marine approval

These products generally fall under the Radio Equipment Regulations 2017, except equipment covered by marine equipment legislation, so the manufacturer needs a declaration of conformity and evidence of compliance with the relevant radio, EMC and electrical safety requirements. Testing to relevant standards, such as EN 303 413 for satellite navigation receivers or EN 300 220 for short range devices like remote controls, is one route to demonstrate compliance. For products covered by the Radio Equipment Regulations, the UKCA or CE marking, the importer's name and address and English instructions must be on or with the product.

Radar and navigation equipment for ships covered by the SOLAS convention needs marine equipment type approval and radar performance to IEC 62388; for UK ships, the applicable conformity mark is generally the Red Ensign, while the wheel mark applies under the EU regime. Leisure-boat electronics usually do not carry this approval. Battery-powered units bring waste electrical and battery producer duties. See the drones guide, the radios guide and WEEE for importers. For automotive audio equipment, see our car radio receiver sourcing guide.

Worked duty example

Take a hypothetical order of 1,500 marine GPS chartplotters, entered under 8526 91 20 00: £300,000 free on board plus £5,000 of freight and insurance gives a customs value of £305,000. Radio navigation receivers carry no duty, so import VAT of 20% on £305,000, £61,000, is the only tax. A VAT-registered importer normally reclaims it, so the border adds no lasting cost. Units with lithium batteries or large screens may ship by air or sea; the duty is 0% either way. Step by step: UK import duty and VAT.

What goes wrong

Navigation and remote control products fail on radio compliance, accuracy and sealing. Remote controls transmit on frequencies or at powers not allowed in the UK, radio test reports cover a different model or firmware, and GPS units take too long to get a fix or drift in position. Marine units sold as waterproof let water in at buttons and connectors, screens are unreadable in sunlight, chart data and map licences are missing, and firmware updates stop after launch.

Check the radio test reports and declaration name the exact model, frequency and firmware, measure time to first fix and position accuracy against a reference, immersion-test marine units to the claimed IP rating, check screen brightness in sunlight, confirm the rights to any chart or map data, and agree how firmware updates will be delivered and for how long.

Cambridge China Bridge sources GPS receivers, chartplotters, radar sets and radio remote controls for marine, outdoor and industrial brands, with radio compliance checked before production. See how we source navigation electronics.

Related guides: Marine and hiking compasses from China.