Inflatable boats and kayaks from China
Inflatable boats and RIBs, sailing boats, motorboats, kayaks and canoes of heading 8903 from China pay 0% UK duty with no anti-dumping duty. Recreational craft of 2.5 m to 24 m hull length need UKCA or CE marking, a craft identification number and a builder's plate under the Recreational Craft Regulations 2017; canoes and kayaks are excluded. Cambridge China Bridge sources small craft.
Inflatable boats, RIBs, kayaks, canoes and small craft from China pay 0% UK duty. Recreational Craft Regulations, ISO 6185 and a worked duty example.
Zero duty on heading 8903
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, inflatable boats including rigid hull inflatables, whether or not designed for a motor, sailing boats, motorboats other than outboard motorboats, and other vessels for pleasure or sports such as kayaks, canoes and rowing boats carried 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. Import VAT at 20% is due on the customs value.
Stand-up paddleboards and surfboards are sports equipment of heading 9506, outboard motors are in 8407, and oars, paddles and trailers are classified separately. Confirm the commodity code. Our outdoor sector page lists related guides.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflatable boats for a motor, up to 100 kg unladen | 8903 11 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Inflatable boats not for a motor, up to 100 kg | 8903 12 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other inflatable boats, including larger RIBs | 8903 19 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Sailboats up to 7.5 m | 8903 21 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Motorboats up to 7.5 m, not outboard | 8903 31 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other craft up to 7.5 m and 100 kg, such as kayaks and canoes | 8903 93 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other craft over 7.5 m, up to 100 kg | 8903 99 10 00 | 0% | None |
Recreational Craft Regulations
Recreational craft with a hull length of 2.5 m to 24 m placed on the market in Great Britain must meet the essential requirements of the Recreational Craft Regulations 2017, carry UKCA or CE marking, a craft identification number to ISO 10087 and a builder's plate showing the design category, maximum load and persons, and come with an owner's manual. Canoes and kayaks, gondolas and pedalos are among the craft the regulations exclude, and craft under 2.5 m fall under general product safety law.
Inflatable boats are built to the ISO 6185 series, whose parts depend on engine power, and stability and buoyancy for small craft are assessed under the ISO 12217 series. Ask which conformity assessment module was used and for the certificate from the notified or approved body where the design category requires one; see UKCA and CE marking.
Worked duty example
Suppose, purely for illustration, you import 200 unpowered inflatable dinghies under 8903 12 00 00. At £30,000 free on board and £3,000 to ship and insure, the customs value is £33,000. With 0% duty on inflatable dinghies, the only charge is import VAT: 20% of £33,000, or £6,600. VAT-registered businesses usually recover that in their next return. The real border issue is conformity: any craft of 2.5 m to 24 m hull length needs UKCA or CE marking under the Recreational Craft Regulations 2017 before it can be sold. The method is set out in how UK import duty and VAT work.
What goes wrong
Small craft fail on seams, valves and paperwork. Inflatable tubes lose pressure overnight because welded or glued seams are weak, valves leak, and cheaper PVC is supplied instead of the CSM or reinforced fabric specified. Rotomoulded kayak hulls are thinner than the sample and flex or crack, fittings pull out, and boats arrive with a CE plate but no certificate or technical file behind it.
Inflate sample boats to working pressure and hold for 24 hours to check pressure loss, inspect seams and valves, weigh and measure hulls against the specification, measure wall thickness on kayak samples, check the builder's plate, craft identification number and owner's manual against the certificate, and drop-test packed cartons.
Cambridge China Bridge sources inflatable boats, RIBs, kayaks and canoes for dealers and hire operators, checking the factory's welding line and conformity documents first. See how we verify a factory.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on inflatable boats from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, inflatable boats, RIBs, kayaks and other small craft of heading 8903 carried 0% from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
Do kayaks need UKCA or CE marking?
No. Canoes and kayaks are excluded from the Recreational Craft Regulations 2017, but they must still be safe under general product safety law.
Which standard covers inflatable boats?
The ISO 6185 series, with the part depending on the engine power the boat is rated for.
How do I check an inflatable boat before shipment?
Inflate samples to working pressure for 24 hours, inspect seams and valves, and check the builder's plate and certificate.