Sourcing luggage scales from China
Luggage scales from China under heading 8423 carry 0% UK duty across the relevant lines. Confirm manufacturer-detail and maximum-capacity marking requirements, and any additional trade-use approval requirements, with the relevant authority. Confirm intended use before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources luggage scales.
Zero duty, with classification to confirm
Heading 8423 covers weighing machinery and its parts. For luggage scales, distinguish household use from other weighing machinery, then check electronic operation and maximum capacity. The table gives candidate lines, rather than interchangeable codes. See the wider weighing scales guide for other products within this heading.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, all listed lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. Import VAT is separate from customs duty.
Send your customs broker the intended use, photographs, operating method and maximum capacity to confirm the commodity code. Do not select a code solely because the supplier calls the product a travel scale.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household scales, a candidate for domestic luggage scales | 8423 10 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other electronic weighing machinery, capacity not exceeding 30 kg | 8423 81 29 00 | 0% | None |
| Other non-electronic weighing machinery, capacity not exceeding 30 kg | 8423 81 80 00 | 0% | None |
| Electronic weighing machinery over 30 kg and up to 5 000 kg, excluding vehicle scales | 8423 82 20 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the weighing function and lifting strap
Specify maximum capacity, displayed increment, permitted reading error and repeatability separately. Agree the weighing units, zero and tare functions, reading hold behaviour and display visibility while lifting a suitcase. For mechanical models, specify pointer readability and zero adjustment.
Define strap material, stitching, buckle or hook design, handle shape and battery type. Approve a sample with the intended packaging and operating instructions. Ask the relevant authority to confirm manufacturer-name, address and maximum-capacity marking requirements for household non-automatic scales, and conformity assessment and metrology marking requirements for scales intended for trade.
For battery-powered models, confirm applicable battery and waste electrical equipment rules with the relevant authority. Electrical equipment producers must register annually. Review these obligations before ordering, alongside the electrical waste guide.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1,000 household luggage scales, subject to classification confirmation under 8423 10 10 00, invoiced at £2,200 free on board, with £1,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,200, so it is £640. 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
Readings: check zero, tare and repeated measurements with known test weights across the agreed range. Compare the displayed result with the agreed error tolerance.
Lifting assembly: check strap stitching, buckle engagement, hook edges and handle security under the agreed test load. Look for slipping, cracking and permanent deformation.
Display and power: check unit switching, reading hold, display segments, battery contacts and restart behaviour. Repeat measurements after switching the scale off and on.
Marking and packing: check manufacturer details and maximum capacity against the approved sample. Confirm the supplied instructions explain attachment, lifting and reading the result. Include these checks in the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A clear display can conceal inconsistent readings. Check whether the result changes with repeated lifting, strap movement or a sustained load. A reading hold function that captures the result too early can make a moving suitcase appear stable.
Loose battery contacts, weak strap stitching and awkward handles are useful rejection checks. Record the agreed test method and acceptance criteria before production so the factory and inspector assess the same behaviour.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For machinery and equipment, see machinery imports.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on luggage scales from China?
The supplied tariff data shows 0% duty across the relevant heading 8423 lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the exact commodity code for your model.
Which commodity code should I use for luggage scales?
Check household versus other use, electronic versus mechanical operation and maximum capacity. Give your broker the specification and photographs; the candidate table does not settle classification.
Do household luggage scales need trade approval?
Ask the relevant authority to confirm whether household scales are outside regulated-use conformity assessment requirements and which manufacturer-detail and maximum-capacity marking requirements apply. Confirm any separate approval requirements for scales intended for trade.
How should I test luggage scales before shipment?
Check repeated readings against known weights, zero and tare, reading hold, strap security and battery contacts. Agree permitted error and the lifting test method before production.