Sourcing medium-voltage fuse links from China
Medium-voltage fuse links from China carry 2% UK duty, with no duty variation in the supplied fuse line. Confirm with the relevant authority whether alternating-current equipment above 1,000 V is outside the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016; match the fuse to the protection design and holder. Cambridge China Bridge sources medium-voltage fuse links.
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UK duty on medium-voltage fuse links
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 8535 covers switching and protection apparatus for voltages exceeding 1,000 V. The supplied fuse line is 8535 10 00 90. The table shows applications within that same line, rather than separate tariff classifications. It carries 2% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension recorded for this line.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches an import control for fluorinated greenhouse gases. Ask the factory to confirm the fuse link's composition and whether the shipment includes gas-containing equipment, then have your customs broker confirm the applicable requirement. Imported F-gas equipment must be correctly labelled. The data also records an export control of mercury; ask the broker to confirm its relevance to the goods and transaction.
Confirm the commodity code using the voltage rating, product description and whether you are buying a fuse link or an assembly. For related equipment within the wider heading, see the high-voltage fuse cutouts guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medium-voltage fuse links for transformer protection | 8535 10 00 90 | 2% | None |
Specify the protection duty and fuse-holder fit
State the protected equipment, rated voltage, rated current, breaking capacity and required time-current characteristic. Ask the engineer to define the required operating range, including whether the fuse is a back-up or full-range design. For transformer protection, check coordination with energisation current; for motor protection, check the starting duty and coordination with the contactor.
Send a holder drawing showing overall length, body diameter, contact dimensions and striker position. Agree the striker action and its compatibility with the switch mechanism. Specify the applicable high-voltage fuse standard, BS EN 60282-1, and obtain type-test evidence matching the supplied design and ratings. Use testing and certification support to organise the evidence review.
Confirm with the relevant authority whether alternating-current equipment above 1,000 V is outside the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016. HSE states that section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work Act applies to workplace articles where more specific product safety law does not apply. Have the buyer's engineer review the fuse selection and the network operator's acceptance route before ordering.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 40 medium-voltage fuse links for transformer protection; illustrative FOB value and freight under 8535 10 00 90, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,600. Duty at 2% is £92. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,692, so it is £938.40. Import taxes total £1,030.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £92 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: compare the model, voltage, current, batch identification and packaging labels with the purchase specification and test documents.
Fit: measure the body and contacts against the agreed drawing; check striker position and holder engagement on a de-energised sample assembly.
Condition: inspect ceramic bodies for cracks, end caps for looseness, contacts for corrosion and packaging for impact or moisture damage.
Evidence: compare batch test records and resistance results with the agreed acceptance criteria; keep destructive breaking-capacity testing separate from arrival inspection.
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What goes wrong
A replacement can fit the holder yet have a different time-current characteristic or operating range. The result can be unwanted operation during transformer energisation or motor starting, or a gap in the intended protection. An incompatible striker can also fail to operate the switch mechanism.
Other problems include cracked ceramic bodies, loose end caps and reports covering a different fuse design. Agree substitution controls before production, retain an approved sample and quarantine damaged or mismatched stock until the engineer has reviewed it. Use the quality inspection guide to set the inspection brief.
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 medium-voltage fuse links from China?
The supplied tariff data gives 2% for 8535 10 00 90, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension recorded for that fuse line.
Do medium-voltage fuse links need UKCA marking?
Confirm the rules applicable to the exact product rather than assuming a low-voltage marking route.
Can I replace a fuse link with the same current rating?
Current rating alone is insufficient. Match voltage, breaking capacity, time-current characteristic, operating range, contact dimensions and striker action to the engineer's specification.
What test documents should I ask the Chinese factory for?
Ask for type-test reports matching the exact design and ratings, the applicable fuse standard, time-current curves, dimensional drawings and batch test records.