Sourcing integrated circuits and chips from China
Integrated circuits from China, including processors and controllers, memories, amplifiers and other ICs, pay 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. The real risk is not duty but counterfeit, remarked or recycled chips from the open market. Buy through franchised channels, demand traceability and test samples. Cambridge China Bridge sources ICs and electronic components with traceable supply.
Processors, memories, amplifiers and other integrated circuits pay 0% UK duty from China. Counterfeit risk, traceability and testing explained.
Zero duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, processors and controllers, memories of every type, amplifiers, other electronic integrated circuits, multi-component integrated circuits and parts of heading 8542 carried 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Modules and assembled boards are usually classified with the product they belong to; confirm the commodity code for each part.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processors and controllers, other | 8542 31 19 00 | 0% | None |
| DRAM memories over 512 Mbits | 8542 32 39 00 | 0% | None |
| Other memories, such as flash | 8542 32 75 00 | 0% | None |
| Amplifiers, other | 8542 33 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Other integrated circuits | 8542 39 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Parts | 8542 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Counterfeit and remarked parts
Chips bought from brokers can be fakes, remarked lower grades or parts pulled from scrap. Buy from the maker's franchised distributors where possible, and for broker stock ask for the original reel labels, date codes, lot numbers and a certificate of conformity traceable to the maker.
For Chinese-designed chips, ask for the datasheet, reliability reports and the maker's long-term supply commitment.
Testing
Test samples before release: visual and marking checks, X-ray of the die and bond wires, and electrical tests against the datasheet. For critical parts, add decapsulation. Check moisture sensitivity packing and storage for reel stock.
Compliance of the finished product
Components themselves are not UKCA marked, but the product they go into must meet RoHS, electrical safety and EMC rules, so ask for RoHS declarations for each part. The components guide covers boards and modules.
Cambridge China Bridge sources integrated circuits and electronic components, with traceability and test plans settled before the order. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on chips from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, integrated circuits of heading 8542 carried 0% duty from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
How do I avoid counterfeit chips?
Buy from franchised distributors where possible, demand traceable paperwork for broker stock, and test samples by X-ray and electrical test.
Do integrated circuits need UKCA marking?
No. Components are not marked, but the finished product must meet RoHS, electrical safety and EMC rules.
Where are memory modules classified?
Usually not in heading 8542; assembled modules are classified with the products they are parts of.