Sourcing HDI printed circuit boards from China
HDI printed circuit boards from China carry 0% UK duty across the supplied heading 8534 lines. Business-to-business component boards are outside the hazardous-substances rules themselves, but an in-scope finished assembly must comply. Specify microvia construction and acceptance tests. Cambridge China Bridge sources HDI printed circuit boards.
Zero duty on HDI printed circuits
Heading 8534 covers printed circuits. HDI describes high-density interconnections rather than a separate tariff line. Multilayer circuits containing only conductor elements and contacts fall under 8534 00 11 00; circuits with other passive elements have a separate line. The table repeats the multilayer code for different microvia constructions, which do not have separate codes in the supplied facts.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, all supplied lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The file records no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls. Import VAT is separate from customs duty.
Confirm the commodity code against the fabrication drawing and the board's condition at import. Mounted-component assemblies need separate classification consideration. See the wider printed circuit board guide for other constructions.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multilayer HDI circuits with staggered microvias, only conductors and contacts | 8534 00 11 00 | 0% | None |
| HDI printed circuits incorporating other passive elements | 8534 00 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the microvia build
Provide controlled fabrication files, a stack-up drawing and the approved revision. Identify which layers each microvia connects, whether microvias are stacked or staggered, and which pads need filled and capped vias. Specify dielectric materials, copper thickness, track widths and gaps, surface finish, solder mask openings and impedance targets where needed.
Agree microsection locations and acceptance criteria for microvia plating, fill, interfaces and registration. Request electrical testing of every board, impedance coupon results where specified, and sample thermal testing matched to the intended assembly process. Confirm that the factory can produce the approved build without changing materials or via construction.
For component boards sold between businesses, the hazardous-substances rules apply to the in-scope finished assembly rather than the component sale itself. The finished-product manufacturer should confirm with the relevant authority how to establish component compliance before incorporation. Request material declarations covering the laminate, bonding materials, solder mask and surface finish.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 5,000 multilayer bare HDI printed circuit boards under 8534 00 11 00, invoiced at £20,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £21,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £21,500, so it is £4,300. 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
Build: compare the batch with the approved stack-up and drawing; check board thickness, outline, layer registration and the specified microvia arrangement.
Microvias: review batch-linked coupon microsections for plating voids, incomplete fill, cracks and separation at interfaces; check filled pads for recesses that could affect assembly.
Electrical results: match every board to its continuity and isolation test record; review impedance results and agreed thermal-test results against the approved acceptance criteria.
Arrival condition: inspect solder mask alignment, finish, bow and twist; check moisture-barrier packaging, desiccant, humidity indicators and batch identification before assembly.
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What goes wrong
Microvia defects can remain hidden beneath an acceptable surface. Plating voids, poor fill or weak interfaces can produce intermittent connections after assembly heating. Misregistered microvias can miss their target pads, while recessed via fills can disturb solder joints. A room-temperature electrical pass does not establish performance after the agreed thermal exposure.
Unapproved changes to dielectric, copper construction or lamination sequence can alter impedance and reliability. Require written approval for changes, retain approved samples and compare failures with batch test records and microsections before accepting replacement boards.
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 HDI boards from China?
The supplied heading 8534 lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duties. Import VAT is separate.
Which commodity code covers bare multilayer HDI boards?
8534 00 11 00 covers multilayer printed circuits consisting only of conductor elements and contacts. Confirm the imported construction; HDI alone does not determine the code.
What should I specify for HDI microvias?
Define the connected layers, stacked or staggered arrangement, filled and capped pads, dielectric build and acceptance criteria. Include the approved drawing revision and required coupon tests.
Is electrical testing enough for HDI boards?
Request electrical testing of every board plus batch-linked microsections and agreed thermal testing. Review microvia interfaces, plating and fill alongside impedance results where specified.