Sourcing maps and globes from China
Printed maps, atlases, wall charts and globes from China pay 0% UK duty on all 3 lines of heading 4905, with no anti-dumping duty. For VAT, printed maps, charts and atlases are zero-rated, but globes, framed decorative maps and pictorial wall charts are standard-rated. Illuminated globes need electrical safety compliance, and globes for children may be toys.
Printed maps, atlases, wall charts and globes from China pay 0% UK duty. Maps are zero-rated for VAT but globes are not. Print and safety checks explained.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, heading 4905 covers maps and hydrographic or similar charts of all kinds, including atlases, wall maps, topographical plans and globes, printed. All 3 lines, maps in book form (atlases), globes and other maps and charts, carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Posters and pictures are heading 4911 (see our posters and printed matter guide), and books are 4901, so confirm the commodity code for mixed educational sets.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maps and charts in book form (atlases) | 4905 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Globes | 4905 90 00 10 | 0% | None |
| Other maps, wall maps and charts | 4905 90 00 90 | 0% | None |
VAT and safety
VAT Notice 701/10 zero-rates printed maps and charts that represent the features of countries, towns, seas or the heavens, whether in sheets or bound as an atlas. Globes, framed maps whose primary purpose is decoration, pictorial wall charts, and maps printed on textile articles are standard-rated, so import VAT applies to them.
Illuminated globes are electrical equipment and must meet the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 with UKCA or CE marking. Globes and map puzzles designed for children to play with are toys under the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
Specifying maps and globes
Specify the map data source and licence, projection, scale and language, print process and colours, paper or lamination, sheet size and folding, for globes the diameter, base and meridian material, rotation and tilt, lighting and power supply, and packaging for transit.
Worked duty example
Take a hypothetical order of 600 desk globes of 30 cm diameter, entered under 4905 90 00 10: £9,000 free on board plus £1,100 of freight and insurance gives a customs value of £10,100. Globes carry no duty, so import VAT of 20% on £10,100, £2,020, is the only tax. A VAT-registered importer normally reclaims it, so the border adds no lasting cost. Globes are standard-rated for VAT under VAT Notice 701/10, while printed maps, charts and atlases are zero-rated, so the same order of wall maps would carry no import VAT. Step by step: UK import duty and VAT.
Inspection checklist
Content: proofread place names, borders and spelling against the approved artwork, and confirm the map data licence covers the print run.
Print and build: check colour against the proof, registration, lamination and folding; on globes check the gores meet without gaps, the sphere turns smoothly and the base is stable.
Safety: for illuminated globes check the plug, rating label and marking, and for children's globes check for small parts and sharp edges.
What goes wrong
Map and globe orders fail on content, print and damage. Place names or borders are wrong or outdated, globe gores misalign, lamination bubbles, globes are crushed in transit, and illuminated globes arrive without UK plugs or markings.
Proofread content, approve a sample and test packaging before bulk. See our quality inspection guide.
Cambridge China Bridge sources maps and globes for UK educational suppliers and gift retailers, from small first runs. See small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on globes from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, globes under 4905 90 00 10 carried 0% from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
Are maps zero-rated for VAT?
Printed maps, charts and atlases are zero-rated under VAT Notice 701/10; globes and decorative framed maps are standard-rated.
Do illuminated globes need UKCA marking?
Yes. They are electrical equipment under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016.
Are posters in the same heading?
No. Posters are heading 4911.