Sourcing LED high-bay lights from China
LED high-bay lights from China carry UK duty of 2% to 4% on the selected luminaire lines, depending on material and classification. Confirm the electrical safety, EMC and RoHS requirements applicable to the mains models with the relevant authority; match declarations and test reports to the actual driver and luminaire. Cambridge China Bridge sources LED high-bay lights.
Duty on LED high-bay lights
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, heading 9405 covers luminaires, lighting fittings and their parts. For high-bay lights, distinguish LED-only ceiling fittings from other LED-only luminaires. The selected metal or other-material lines carry 2% duty on goods from China; plastic lines carry 4%, as does the selected plastic or ceramic ceiling-fitting line. These lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
The tariff attaches mercury import control to 9405 11 40 90. Official guidance says these controls concern intentionally added mercury; ask your customs broker to confirm the requirement for the actual product. The selected lines also display a DCMS export licence control. Official guidance concerns exporting cultural objects from Great Britain; confirm with your broker how this tariff entry should be handled for new lights imported from China.
The table gives classification candidates, not interchangeable codes. Provide drawings, housing materials, mounting details and the light-source design when confirming your commodity code. See commercial lighting for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED ceiling fittings of metal or other materials, not hand-made | 9405 11 90 90 | 2% | None |
| LED ceiling fittings of plastics or ceramics | 9405 11 40 90 | 4% | None |
| Other LED fittings of metal or other materials, not hand-made | 9405 42 39 90 | 2% | None |
| Other LED fittings of plastics | 9405 42 31 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the light distribution and driver
Specify mounting height, aisle layout, required light distribution, lumen output, colour temperature, colour rendering and glare expectations. Agree the suspension or bracket design, cable entry, operating environment and access for driver replacement. Ask for photometric data for the exact lens and luminaire rather than accepting a wattage claim as a lighting design.
Freeze the LED chip, driver, lens, heat sink and housing in the approved bill of materials. Specify dimming behaviour, sensor compatibility, power factor, inrush current and flicker checks. Confirm with the relevant authority which electrical safety, EMC and RoHS rules apply to the mains lighting, whether the light sources have ecodesign obligations, and whether WEEE producer registration is required for the lamps and luminaires.
Obtain model-specific declarations and test reports before production. For Great Britain, the importer must ensure that instructions accompany the equipment in easily understandable English. An importer selling electrical equipment under its own name or trademark must fulfil the manufacturer's RoHS obligations. Agree the evidence package through testing and certification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 400 aluminium LED high-bay lights, illustrative order only under 9405 11 90 90, invoiced at £22,000 free on board, with £3,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £25,500. Duty at 2% is £510. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £26,010, so it is £5,202. Import taxes total £5,712; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £510 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Components: compare arrival samples with the approved driver, LED chip, lens and heat sink; record substitutions and batch identifiers.
Light and heat: measure lumen output, colour, power factor and flicker; run thermal and burn-in checks with the agreed mounting arrangement.
Mounting and packing: check hooks, brackets, fasteners, cable restraint, damaged fins and cracked lenses; trial-fit the supplied hardware.
Documents and labels: match model identifiers to declarations and reports, check the supplied English instructions, and compare performance claims with batch measurements.
What goes wrong
A driver substitution can change dimming, flicker and inrush current while the carton still names the approved model. A different lens can leave warehouse aisles unevenly lit. Poor heat transfer can cause early failures, and loose suspension hardware or cracked housings can make installation unsafe.
Keep an approved sample and require written approval and reassessment before component changes. Check the delivered batch before installation, including operation with the intended controls. Agree how failed drivers and damaged mounting hardware will be identified and replaced.
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 LED high-bay lights from China?
The selected metal or other-material luminaire lines carry 2%; plastic lines carry 4%. The selected plastic or ceramic ceiling-fitting line also carries 4%. No trade remedy or suspension is recorded for these lines.
Which commodity code covers aluminium high-bay lights?
9405 11 90 90 is a candidate for LED-only ceiling fittings of other materials. Mounting and construction matter, so confirm the classification rather than relying on the product name.
What compliance documents should I request?
Request model-specific declarations and electrical safety, EMC and RoHS test reports tied to the production components. Include English instructions and check the light-source ecodesign and WEEE obligations.
What should I inspect when high-bay lights arrive?
Compare drivers and lenses with the approved sample, check mounting hardware and transit damage, and test light output, flicker, temperature and operation with the intended dimming or sensor controls.