Sourcing logic analysers from China
Logic analysers within heading 9030 carry 0% UK duty from China across the supplied tariff lines, with no listed trade remedies. For Great Britain sales, the manufacturer must supply relevant instructions in English. Specify capture performance and input limits before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources logic analysers.
Zero duty, classification still matters
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, all supplied lines of heading 9030 carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls.
Heading 9030 covers electrical measuring and checking instruments, including the broader family discussed in our oscilloscopes and multimeters guide. The table shows potentially relevant categories, not a confirmed classification for every logic analyser. Recording capability, dedicated telecommunications use and separately supplied accessories need individual consideration.
Confirm the commodity code using the instrument's functions, capture storage and intended application. Give your customs broker the manual and a description of how captured signals are recorded.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other electrical checking instruments, with a recording device | 9030 84 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other electrical checking instruments | 9030 89 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Instruments specially designed for telecommunications | 9030 40 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Parts and accessories for heading 9030 instruments | 9030 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify capture performance and software
Specify digital channel count, simultaneous sampling performance, capture memory, trigger conditions and supported logic levels. Separate sustained streaming performance from short buffered captures. Define input thresholds, maximum permitted input voltage and the supplied probes, ground leads and connectors.
Agree supported computer operating systems, driver installation, offline use, software licensing and signal export formats. Send the supplier representative signals and expected decoded results. Test the complete instrument and software together before accepting the sample.
For Great Britain sales, the manufacturer must supply relevant instructions in English under the electromagnetic compatibility guidance. Confirm with the relevant authority whether waste electrical equipment obligations apply to the instrument. For equipment within hazardous-substance rules, individual products must show the importer's name or trademark and a contactable address on the product or packaging.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of compact wired logic analysers for a specialist reseller under 9030 84 00 00, invoiced at £26,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £27,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £27,200, so it is £5,440. 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
Capture: replay agreed reference signals across the specified channels; check timing, trigger position, missing transitions and behaviour when capture memory fills.
Inputs: compare threshold settings and permitted voltage with the agreed specification; check probe pin assignments, ground connections and cable continuity.
Software: install on a clean target computer; verify drivers, decoding, saved captures and export without relying on the factory's demonstration computer.
Documentation: match model identification to supplied reports and manuals; check English instructions and applicable importer labelling during inspection.
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What goes wrong
A quoted sampling rate can describe a short capture or reduced channel configuration rather than the buyer's intended use. Include the channel configuration and capture duration in the acceptance test. Poor grounding, unsuitable thresholds and damaged probe leads can produce misleading transitions.
Software can fail on the buyer's computer even when the factory demonstration works. Check installation, licence access and exported captures with the production sample. Agree the supplied software version and accessory set in the purchase specification.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on logic analysers from China?
The supplied heading 9030 lines carry 0% duty from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duties. Confirm the exact code for your analyser.
Which commodity code covers a recording logic analyser?
9030 84 00 00 describes other instruments with a recording device. Treat it as a candidate and ask your customs broker to confirm classification from the manual and recording functions.
What should I test before buying logic analysers?
Test simultaneous channel capture, trigger behaviour, input thresholds, probe continuity and decoded results using known signals. Install the software on your intended computer.
Do imported logic analysers need English instructions?
For apparatus covered by the Great Britain electromagnetic compatibility guidance, the manufacturer must supply relevant instructions in English.