Sourcing multi-jet water meters from China
Mechanical multi-jet water meters and their relevant parts from China carry 0% UK duty. For regulated uses, confirm the conformity assessment route and applicable conformity and metrology markings with the relevant authority before sale in Great Britain. Check the model certificate and wetted materials before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources mechanical multi-jet water meters.
Zero duty on complete meters and relevant parts
Heading 9028 covers gas, liquid and electricity supply or production meters and their parts. Mechanical multi-jet water meters fall within liquid meters, code 9028 20 00 00. The table shows variants sharing that code, plus the relevant parts and accessories line.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, complete liquid meters and other meter parts and accessories carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or import controls for these lines. Zero customs duty does not remove import VAT; see import duty and VAT.
Confirm the commodity code separately for complete meters, replacement measuring mechanisms and accessories. Give your customs broker the product description, intended use and assembly details. For the wider heading context, see ultrasonic water meters.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical multi-jet cold-water meters | 9028 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Parts and accessories for mechanical multi-jet water meters | 9028 90 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the mechanism, installation and wetted materials
Specify cold or hot water, body and wetted material grades, connection thread, installation length, mounting position and flow direction. Agree the minimum, transitional, permanent and overload flow rates, pressure rating and acceptable pressure loss. Identify a dry or wet register, display units and any pulse output. Match the sample to the intended pipework and reading method.
For uses regulated by the Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016, settle the conformity assessment route and applicable conformity and metrology markings before ordering. Match the certificate to the exact model and configuration. For drinking-water applications, confirm with the relevant water authority which wetted-material requirements and approval evidence apply to the intended installation. Arrange testing and certification against the agreed model.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5,000 mechanical multi-jet cold-water meters under 9028 20 00 00, invoiced at £45,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £47,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £47,000, so it is £9,400. 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
Documents and markings: match the model, serial numbers, applicable CE or UKCA marking and metrology marking to the conformity evidence. The metrology marking remains required whichever conformity marking is used.
Flow performance: test sampled meters on a calibrated bench at the agreed minimum, transitional, permanent and overload flow rates, in the specified mounting position. Record error and starting behaviour.
Body and connections: check wetted materials against the approved specification, measure threads and installation length, and test for leakage at the agreed pressure. Check strainers, unions and seals where supplied.
Register and security: check dial readability, flow arrow, register operation and tamper seals. Verify pulse output against the displayed volume where fitted. Record results through quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A meter can read acceptably at normal flow but under-register at low flow. A changed measuring mechanism or mounting position can make the delivered configuration differ from the tested sample. Reject unexplained substitutions and compare arrival samples with the retained sample and flow reports.
Other problems include leaking unions, incorrect threads, unreadable registers and seals that can be removed without trace. A certificate for a different model does not resolve the evidence gap. Keep model identity, wetted-material evidence and batch inspection results together before releasing stock.
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 mechanical multi-jet water meters from China?
Complete meters under 9028 20 00 00 carry 0% duty. Relevant parts under 9028 90 90 00 also carry 0%. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties.
Do mechanical water meters need conformity assessment?
For regulated uses, confirm the applicable conformity assessment route and conformity and metrology markings with the relevant authority. Check that the certificate covers the exact model and configuration.
What should I specify for a multi-jet water meter?
Specify water temperature, wetted materials, connection thread, installation length, mounting position, flow range, pressure rating, register type and any pulse output.
How should I check water meters on arrival?
Match models and markings to the documents, test sampled meters across the agreed flow range, check connections for leakage, and inspect the register, flow arrow and tamper seals.