Sourcing vacuum circuit breakers from China
Medium-voltage vacuum circuit breakers from China carry 2% UK duty under the relevant automatic circuit-breaker line. Confirm with the relevant authority whether the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 apply; confirm the buyer's engineering approval against matching type tests. Cambridge China Bridge sources medium-voltage vacuum circuit breakers.
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2% duty on complete vacuum circuit breakers
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 8535 covers switching and protection apparatus for voltages exceeding 1,000 V. Complete automatic vacuum circuit breakers below 72.5 kV fall within 8535 21 00 90. The table shows different buying configurations within that same commodity line.
The supplied tariff record gives this line 2% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension. It attaches an export control of mercury. The importer should confirm with their customs broker whether that entry affects the intended transaction; it should not be described as an import prohibition.
Confirm the commodity code using the complete product description, rated voltage and supplied configuration. A complete breaker, a separate operating mechanism and an assembled switchgear panel are different classification questions. See the wider high-voltage switchgear guide for other apparatus.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor fixed vacuum circuit breakers, above 1,000 V and below 72.5 kV | 8535 21 00 90 | 2% | None |
Specify the breaker and its switchgear interface
Specify rated voltage, continuous current, short-circuit breaking duty, insulation performance, operating sequence and intended environment. State fixed or withdrawable construction, mounting dimensions, terminal arrangement, control supply, trip and closing coils, auxiliary contacts and interlocks. For a replacement, obtain approved interface drawings rather than relying on a similar-looking truck.
The published switchgear guide specifies circuit breakers to the IEC 62271 series, including part 100, with matching type-test evidence. Confirm any approval requirements before connection with the relevant authority, network operator or buyer's engineer. Ask the relevant authority whether the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 apply to the supplied equipment. Any scope exclusion does not establish suitability for the installation.
Ask for the exact interrupter and mechanism identification, routine-test records, maintenance instructions and agreed spare parts. People working on electrical equipment must be competent. Arrange specialist acceptance testing before energisation, with responsibilities agreed before shipment.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 40 complete vacuum circuit breakers for 11 kV networks under 8535 21 00 90, invoiced at £120,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £124,000. Duty at 2% is £2,480. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £126,480, so it is £25,296. Import taxes total £27,776; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £2,480 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match nameplates, serial numbers, interrupters and mechanisms to the approved drawings and test reports; reject unexplained substitutions.
Electrical evidence: review routine insulation, contact-resistance and mechanical-operation results for the supplied units. Have the buyer's engineer assess the evidence for vacuum integrity.
Fit and operation: check mounting, terminal alignment, secondary connectors, control supplies, opening and closing operation, position indication and interlocks against the specification.
Arrival condition: inspect crates, restraints, insulating surfaces and terminals for movement, impact damage, moisture and cracks. Record defects before installation and retain the factory records.
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What goes wrong
A type-test report may cover a different interrupter, mechanism or rating. A replacement truck may fit the compartment but fail to mate correctly with primary contacts or secondary connectors. Vacuum loss, damaged insulation, high contact resistance and sticking mechanisms can undermine acceptance even when the nameplate looks correct.
Agree which design changes require the buyer's approval and which tests will be witnessed before dispatch. Keep drawing revisions and unit-level records together, then compare them with the delivered equipment. Use the inspection guide to define checks and defect reporting.
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 vacuum circuit breakers from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 2% duty under 8535 21 00 90 for complete automatic circuit breakers above 1,000 V and below 72.5 kV, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension.
Do medium-voltage vacuum circuit breakers need UKCA marking?
Ask the relevant authority to confirm whether the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 apply to the supplied equipment. Check the supplied configuration and applicable rules separately; a UKCA mark does not establish engineering acceptance.
Which test reports should I ask the factory for?
Ask for type-test reports matching the exact breaker design and ratings, plus routine-test records for the supplied units. The published switchgear guide identifies IEC 62271 part 100 for circuit breakers.
Can I buy a replacement breaker by voltage rating alone?
No. Match the breaking duty, mechanism, control supplies, mounting, primary contacts, secondary connectors and interlocks. Have the buyer's engineer approve the interface drawings and acceptance checks.