Sourcing mechanical street timers from China
Mechanical street-lighting time switches with a clock movement or synchronous motor carry 4% UK duty from China, with no trade remedy or suspension recorded. For mains models, confirm with the relevant authority what electrical safety evidence, conformity marking and declaration of conformity are required. Cambridge China Bridge sources mechanical street-lighting time switches.
4% duty on mechanical street-lighting timers
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 9107 covers time switches with clock or watch movement or with synchronous motor. Mechanical street-lighting models meeting that description fall within the supplied line 9107 00 00 90, carrying 4% duty on goods from China. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure or duty suspension is recorded.
The tariff record attaches a control labelled DCMS Export Licence and describes a document waiver for goods manufactured or produced less than 50 years ago. Ask your customs broker to confirm whether any requirement applies to your China import. The supplied file contains only this commodity line, so the table has a single entry.
Confirm the commodity code using the timing mechanism and the supplied assembly. Digital controllers without a clock movement or synchronous motor may fall under heading 8536 instead. For other formats, see the wider timer switches guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical street-lighting time switches with clock movement or synchronous motor | 9107 00 00 90 | 4% | None |
Specify the clock, lamp load and installation
Specify the timing mechanism, supply voltage and frequency, dial programme, shortest switching interval, manual override and behaviour after a power cut. Confirm whether the timer switches lamps directly or operates a contactor coil. Ask for the contact rating for the actual lamp load and its starting current, rather than accepting a resistive-load rating alone.
Agree mounting dimensions, terminal arrangement, cable capacity and a wiring diagram. State whether the switch sits inside a lighting cabinet or an exposed enclosure. For exposed equipment, agree the enclosure protection and supporting test evidence. Check access to the dial, terminal cover and override after installation.
For mains timers, confirm with the relevant authority what electrical safety evidence, CE or UKCA marking for Great Britain, declaration of conformity and importer name and address details are required. Importers must ensure that instructions are in easily understandable English. Confirm whether WEEE obligations apply and whether your business must register annually as an electrical-equipment producer. Use testing and certification support to review the model documents.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 50 mechanical street-lighting time switches under 9107 00 00 90, invoiced at £1,000 free on board, with £50 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £1,050. Duty at 4% is £42. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £1,092, so it is £218.40. Import taxes total £260.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £42 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Timing: run programmed switching cycles against a reference clock, check dial direction, secure programme tabs and manual override, then interrupt the supply and check the agreed restart behaviour.
Load: test the approved sample with the intended lamps or contactor coil, checking switching reliability, contact sticking and overheating.
Installation: compare dimensions, mounting, terminal markings and wiring with the approved drawing; check terminal grip, covers and enclosure seals where supplied.
Documents: match the model and ratings to the declaration of conformity, test reports and English instructions; check conformity marking and importer identification. See the quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A switch selected by its resistive rating can fail when lamp starting current stresses the contacts. Incorrect motor frequency can affect timekeeping, loose dial tabs can change switching times, and a timer without the agreed reserve can lose its schedule after a power cut.
Check these points on the approved sample before ordering. On arrival, compare the delivered motor, contacts, terminals and enclosure with that sample. A familiar-looking dial does not establish that the internal components or lamp-load performance match.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on mechanical street-lighting time switches from China?
The supplied tariff line 9107 00 00 90 carries 4% duty from China. No anti-dumping or countervailing measure or duty suspension is recorded.
Can a mechanical timer switch street lights directly?
Check its rating for the actual lamp load and starting current. Specify whether it switches lamps directly or controls a contactor coil, and test that arrangement.
Do mechanical street-lighting timers need CE or UKCA marking?
For mains timers, confirm with the relevant authority what CE or UKCA marking for Great Britain, electrical safety evidence and declaration of conformity are required. Check that the documents identify the delivered model.
Will the timer keep its programme after a power cut?
Specify the required reserve and restart behaviour. Interrupt the supply during sample testing, then check the clock, programme tabs and switching schedule after restoration.