Sourcing oil circuit breakers from China
High-voltage oil circuit breakers from China carry 2% UK duty across the relevant voltage bands, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Match the supplied design and ratings to type tests and confirm network operator or buyer's engineer approval before connection. Cambridge China Bridge sources high-voltage oil circuit breakers.
Buying from China for a business? How our UK China sourcing agent service works · China sourcing agent for small orders and first imports
UK duty on high-voltage oil circuit breakers
Heading 8535 covers switching and protection apparatus for voltages exceeding 1,000 V. Oil circuit breakers belong to the automatic circuit breaker branches, divided at 72.5 kV. The table also includes separately supplied companion isolating and make-and-break switches; these are different products from automatic circuit breakers.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the selected lines carry 2% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions recorded. The supplied tariff data flags mercury export control on these lines. The companion switch lines also carry fluorinated greenhouse gas import control; confirm the applicable requirement with your customs broker before shipping.
Give your broker the rated voltage, interrupting medium, operating function and delivery configuration to confirm the commodity code. Do not use a separately supplied switch code for an automatic breaker. See the high-voltage switchgear guide for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil circuit breakers for voltages below 72.5 kV | 8535 21 00 90 | 2% | None |
| Oil circuit breakers for voltages of 72.5 kV or more | 8535 29 00 90 | 2% | None |
| Companion isolating and make-and-break switches below 72.5 kV | 8535 30 10 90 | 2% | None |
| Companion isolating and make-and-break switches at 72.5 kV or more | 8535 30 90 90 | 2% | None |
Specify the oil system and operating mechanism
State whether you need a bulk-oil or minimum-oil design, new equipment or a refurbished replacement, and indoor or outdoor installation. Specify rated voltage, continuous current, fault-breaking capacity, insulation performance, operating sequence, trip and closing supplies, terminal arrangement and mounting dimensions. For a replacement, obtain drawings of the existing fixed contacts and interlocks rather than ordering by model name alone.
Specify the insulating oil grade, filling condition, seals, oil-level indication, sampling points and spare contacts. In England, polychlorinated biphenyls are banned. Ask for evidence that the supplied oil is free of these substances, particularly for refurbished equipment. Mercury controls cover products with intentionally added mercury; ask the supplier to identify any mercury-containing components for separate review.
Match type test reports to the exact breaker design and ratings, and agree network operator or buyer's engineer approval before connection. Request operating and maintenance instructions covering oil replacement, contact inspection, mechanism cleaning and the specified lubricants. Agree who will provide replacement seals, contacts and mechanism parts.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative project order: 40 oil circuit breakers for 11 kV networks under 8535 21 00 90, invoiced at £120,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £124,000. Duty at 2% is £2,480. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £126,480, so it is £25,296. Import taxes total £27,776; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £2,480 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity and evidence: match serial plates, drawings and test reports to the supplied units. Check refurbishment records where applicable and confirm that the breaking capacity belongs to the offered design.
Oil and tank: check oil batch evidence, agreed moisture and dielectric test results, fill level and sealing. On arrival, inspect the tank, valves and joints for leakage and the bushings for cracks or transport damage.
Mechanism and interlocks: have the factory demonstrate closing, tripping, timing and interlock operation against the agreed acceptance criteria. Check control supplies, auxiliary contacts and the recorded cleaning and lubrication products.
Packing and arrival: check restraint, protected bushings, lifting instructions and whether the breaker travels filled or drained. Record damage and leakage before unpacking further, and arrange the buyer's engineer's arrival checks before energising.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A replacement can fit the mounting holes but mismatch the fixed contacts, trip supply or interlocks. Oil can arrive contaminated or leak through damaged seals, while a test report may cover a different interrupter or rating. Require drawings, oil evidence and witnessed routine tests before release; keep arrival photographs and test records with each unit.
A mechanism that moves during a demonstration can still operate too slowly under the agreed test conditions. HSE investigated a high-voltage breaker explosion in which recent maintenance may have contributed. Keep cleaning products and lubricants identified separately, and follow the manufacturer's instructions rather than accepting an unspecified multipurpose spray.
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 oil circuit breakers from China?
The supplied tariff data records 2% on both automatic circuit breaker voltage bands, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension recorded.
Which commodity code covers high-voltage oil circuit breakers?
8535 21 00 90 covers automatic circuit breakers below 72.5 kV; 8535 29 00 90 covers the higher voltage band. Confirm the exact product and delivery configuration with your broker.
Do high-voltage oil circuit breakers need UKCA marking?
Ask the relevant product safety authority to confirm whether the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 apply to the supplied equipment and its rated voltage. Assess the supplied product's applicable rules separately and confirm the connection approval route.
What should I check on a refurbished oil circuit breaker?
Check its identity, refurbishment history, insulating oil evidence, contact condition, seals, mechanism timing and interlocks. Match the replacement to the existing installation and obtain the buyer's engineer's acceptance.