Sourcing IGBT modules from China
IGBT modules assessed under 8541 29 00 00 carry 0% UK duty from China; the supplied heading data has a flat 0% range. For business-to-business components, hazardous-substance compliance must be assessed in the final assembly where those rules apply. Cambridge China Bridge sources IGBT modules.
IGBT module duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 8541 covers semiconductor devices and their parts. The supplied data records 0% duty for goods from China throughout the heading, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls. Import VAT at 20% remains separate from duty.
For an IGBT transistor module, start the classification review with 8541 29 00 00. Supply the internal circuit diagram as well as the datasheet, particularly when the package includes rectifiers, gate drivers or control electronics. The table includes related separately supplied devices and parts, rather than treating every row as an IGBT module.
Confirm the commodity code for the actual configuration before ordering. For the wider semiconductor heading, see power MOSFETs.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| IGBT transistor modules, subject to configuration checks | 8541 29 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Separate non-photosensitive diodes for module assemblies | 8541 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other semiconductor devices, where applicable to the supplied device | 8541 59 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Semiconductor device parts, supplied separately | 8541 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the module circuit and thermal interface
Specify the exact manufacturer and part reference, circuit topology, collector-emitter voltage, continuous and pulsed current ratings, and the temperatures at which those ratings apply. Agree gate-drive conditions, switching characteristics, diode behaviour and insulation characteristics. State whether substitutions or previously used devices are acceptable.
Approve the package drawing, terminal layout, mounting holes, baseplate flatness and thermal interface. Request batch traceability and electrical test records linked to the supplied modules. Compare samples in the intended gate-drive and cooling arrangement before accepting an alternative part.
Official Great Britain guidance treats component parts sold business to business as outside the hazardous-substance regulations, but requires the final assembly, including its components, to comply when in scope. Ask for material declarations and supporting evidence for that assembly assessment; a supplier's statement alone does not settle the manufacturer's compliance assessment.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of IGBT modules for a small industrial distributor under 8541 29 00 00, invoiced at £33,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £36,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £36,000, so it is £7,200. 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
Identity: match part references, batch markings and packaging labels to the order and traceability records; investigate resurfaced markings or inconsistent fonts.
Mechanical condition: check terminals, mounting surfaces, baseplate flatness and signs of previous installation, including tool marks and thermal compound.
Electrical checks: agree sample tests for leakage, gate integrity, switching behaviour and insulation, using the approved datasheet conditions.
Evidence: match test records and material declarations to the delivered model and batch. Plan the sampling and records through quality inspection.
What goes wrong
Matching headline voltage and current ratings can hide different switching losses, gate-charge behaviour or diode recovery. A replacement may fit the mounting holes yet overheat or switch poorly in the buyer's circuit. Compare the full datasheet and application results before approving a substitution.
Recovered modules can arrive with fresh markings and clean packaging. Appearance alone cannot establish their history or remaining service life. Agree the permitted condition, traceability evidence and rejection criteria in the purchase specification, and investigate unexplained batch mixtures.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on IGBT modules from China?
The supplied tariff data records 0% for 8541 29 00 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. Confirm the module's classification. Import VAT is separate.
Can I replace an IGBT module with the same current rating?
Compare voltage, temperature conditions, circuit topology, gate-drive requirements, switching losses, diode behaviour and the thermal interface. Approve application testing before accepting a substitute.
How do I check whether IGBT modules have been used?
Inspect markings, terminal wear, mounting marks and thermal compound, then check supply-chain and batch records. Visual inspection alone cannot prove that a module is unused.
What hazardous-substance evidence should I request?
Request material declarations and supporting test evidence for the exact module. For an in-scope final assembly, the manufacturer must assess component compliance before incorporation.