Sourcing LED drivers from China

UK duty on LED drivers and components

Heading 8504 covers electrical transformers, static converters and inductors. For complete LED drivers, check the other-static-converter line against the actual design. The table also identifies separately imported manufacturing components and parts; these are not alternative descriptions for a complete driver. See the wider heading guide.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, all supplied lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied facts show no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls. Import VAT at 20% remains separate from duty.

Confirm the commodity code using the circuit function, specification and whether the shipment contains complete drivers or components. Have the customs broker confirm the classification before shipment.

Specify the output and lighting application

State whether the lamp needs constant current or constant voltage. Specify the output operating range, rated load, mains input, isolation, enclosure, mounting, cable lengths and terminals. Agree the ambient conditions and heat dissipation available inside the luminaire. Name the dimming interface and provide the actual lamp and controller for compatibility testing.

For mains-input drivers, confirm the applicable electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility requirements with the relevant authority. Obtain technical documentation, the declaration of conformity, UKCA or CE marking details and importer identification for review, and confirm the requirements described in the reference guide. Match safety and electromagnetic compatibility reports to the exact model and circuit.

In Great Britain, separate lighting control gear within scope must meet the lighting ecodesign requirements. Ask for evidence of energy efficiency and the applicable product information. An adapter report alone does not establish compliance for the lighting application. Use testing and certification to arrange checks against the agreed product. For fluorescent lighting, see our electronic ballast sourcing guide.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 3,000 LED drivers for a lighting wholesaler under 8504 40 95 90, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £12,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,800, so it is £2,560. 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: compare model, output ratings, markings and batch identification with the approved sample and documentation.

Output: run sampled drivers with the intended lamp at the agreed loads; measure current, voltage, ripple and temperature.

Dimming: check start-up, low-level operation, flicker, audible noise and restart with the intended controller.

Construction: compare the circuit board, transformer, capacitors, insulation, terminals and cable retention with the approved sample. Repeat the agreed checks on arrival; see quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A constant-current driver matched only by wattage can have the wrong output range for the lamp. A dimmable label can hide controller incompatibility, flicker or failure to restart. Test the driver, lamp and controller together before approving bulk production.

Changed capacitors, transformers or filtering can produce a unit that looks identical but runs hotter or has greater ripple. Reports for another circuit revision do not resolve that mismatch. Record the approved construction and investigate substitutions before accepting the batch.

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.