Sourcing metal number plates from China

0% duty on metal vehicle registration plates

Heading 8310 covers sign-plates, nameplates and similar plates, numbers, letters and other symbols of base metal, excluding goods of heading 9405. This guide focuses on metal vehicle registration plates. See the metal nameplates and sign plates guide for the wider heading.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, commodity code 8310 00 00 00 carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. The table describes product variants under the same tariff line.

Confirm the commodity code using the actual construction and materials before ordering. Duty classification does not establish whether a finished plate meets vehicle number plate requirements.

Specify the metal, reflective finish and plate artwork

For modern reflective vehicle plates, specify metal type, thickness, flatness, dimensions, corner finish, reflective facing, character application and fixing positions. Agree whether characters are embossed or printed, and approve artwork showing the registration, supplier identification and British Standard marking.

Vehicle number plates must conform to British standards. The government’s display guidance requires reflective material, black characters on white front backgrounds and yellow rear backgrounds, no background pattern, and supplier and British Standard markings. Characters must not be removable or reflective. Request test evidence for the finished metal construction through testing and certification.

Businesses selling or making number plates must register with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and keep supply records. The registered supplier must see original documents proving the customer’s identity and entitlement to the registration number. Agree who handles these checks before commissioning personalised finished plates.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of white reflective metal vehicle registration plates for a replacement-plate business under 8310 00 00 00, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £12,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,800, so it is £2,560. 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

Artwork: compare each registration and the supplier and standard markings against the approved artwork; check character alignment and fixing positions.

Facing: inspect for bubbles, lifting, scratches and colour variation; compare the reflective finish with the approved sample and check the test evidence matches the delivered construction.

Metalwork: measure thickness, dimensions and flatness; check for sharp edges, cracked embossing and distorted corners.

Packing: check that protective layers prevent face scratches, cartons separate different registrations, and batch identification matches the inspection record. Use the quality inspection guide to set the inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A stamped standard number alone does not demonstrate performance. A factory may change the metal thickness, reflective film or coating after sample approval. Ask for evidence covering the actual finished construction, and approve material changes before production.

Look for registration transcription errors, paint cracking around embossed characters, lifting reflective film and holes that interfere with characters. Separate unfinished stock from customer-specific finished plates in the order and packing instructions, and resolve artwork or supply-document problems before dispatch.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.