Sourcing linear electric motors from China

UK duty on linear electric motors

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the listed candidate motor lines under heading 8501 carry 0% duty for goods from China. These selected lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. Import VAT at 20% still applies. For the reverse trade route, see exporting UK electric motors to China.

Heading 8501 covers electric motors and generators, excluding generating sets. The table gives classification candidates, not a dedicated linear-motor code. Distinguish a motor producing linear motion directly from a rotary motor driving a leadscrew. The automotive seat actuator descriptions in the tariff are specific products, not general codes for linear motors.

Confirm the commodity code using the motor construction, electrical supply and rated mechanical output. Ask the supplier to explain how output is determined where the datasheet gives force rather than power. For wider motor sourcing, see industrial servo motors. For shaded-pole motors, see our shaded-pole motor sourcing guide.

Specify force, travel and the drive interface

Specify whether you need an iron-core, ironless or tubular linear motor, and whether the supply includes the moving coil, magnet track, guides, encoder and drive. Define continuous and peak force separately, with the cooling arrangement, operating cycle, travel, speed, acceleration and moving load used for each claim.

Agree mounting drawings, air gap, cable routing, encoder interface, winding data and temperature sensor compatibility. Test the sample with the intended drive and load. A catalogue force figure without its thermal conditions is insufficient for choosing a motor.

For Great Britain, the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations apply to equipment designed or adapted for alternating-current voltages between 50 and 1,000 volts or direct-current voltages between 75 and 1,500 volts. For equipment within scope, confirm the applicable technical documentation, declaration of conformity, CE or UKCA marking and importer identification requirements with the relevant authority. Equipment liable to generate electromagnetic disturbance is also within the electromagnetic compatibility rules, subject to exceptions; assess the actual assembly supplied.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 small AC linear motors, each within this output band under 8501 10 93 90, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,400, so it is £680. 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 and documents: match the motor, track, winding variant and encoder to the approved drawings and reports. For equipment within electrical safety scope, check that instructions are in understandable English.

Mechanical fit: inspect track straightness, mounting faces, hole positions, air gap and guide alignment. Check for chipped magnets, loose fixings and transport damage before assembly.

Motion and temperature: run the agreed load cycle with the intended cooling and drive. Record force, positioning repeatability, temperature rise and any rubbing or unexpected vibration.

Electrical interface: check connector pin assignments, winding resistance, insulation and temperature sensor operation against the specification. Use quality inspection to agree sampling and acceptance criteria.

What goes wrong

Peak force is mistaken for continuous force, cooling assumptions are omitted, or an encoder works with the supplier's drive but not the buyer's controller. Track misalignment can cause rubbing, while cable drag can undermine positioning. Agree a loaded acceptance test before approving production.

A report for a different winding or drive combination does not establish the performance of your assembly. Keep the approved configuration and request evidence for proposed changes. Separate loose motor components from a complete powered axis when briefing testing and certification.

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.