Sourcing mobile medical C-arms from China
Mobile medical C-arm X-ray systems from China carry 0% UK duty across the relevant apparatus, tube and parts lines. For Great Britain, check medical-device conformity marking, a UK Responsible Person and MHRA registration before sale. Cambridge China Bridge sources mobile medical C-arm X-ray systems.
Duty on mobile medical C-arm systems
Heading 9022 covers X-ray apparatus, tubes and related equipment. Complete mobile medical C-arm systems fall within medical or surgical X-ray apparatus under 9022 14 00 00. The table separates flat-panel and image-intensifier configurations, which share that code, alongside replacement tubes and parts. For related products within the heading, see the dental X-ray guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the selected lines carried 0% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or import control. Elsewhere in this heading, 9022 29 00 00 has an import control for fluorinated greenhouse gases. If your declaration includes goods under that line, ask your customs broker to confirm the requirement.
Confirm the commodity code against the intended medical use and whether the shipment contains a complete system, a tube or separate parts. Do not assign the complete-system code automatically to every spare. The import duty and VAT guide explains the calculation separately from product compliance.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile medical C-arm systems with flat-panel detectors | 9022 14 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Replacement X-ray tubes | 9022 30 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Parts and accessories of X-ray apparatus | 9022 90 20 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the imaging system and clinical use
Describe the intended procedures, pulsed and continuous fluoroscopy modes, detector type, usable imaging field, image storage and export, dose display and tube cooling. Agree arm movement, clearance around the operating table, brake performance, monitor positioning and mains connection. Ask the receiving clinical team to approve the specification and the image-quality demonstration method.
For sale in Great Britain, medical devices need MHRA registration. Confirm the accepted UKCA or CE conformity route, the overseas manufacturer's UK Responsible Person arrangements and any importer-notification requirements with the MHRA before importing. Match the declaration, certificates and registration information to the supplied model.
The employer using X-ray generators generally needs HSE registration, a radiation risk assessment and a radiation protection adviser. Medical exposures are also governed by the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017. Agree who will arrange installation, radiation checks, clinical handover, training and servicing before placing the order.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: One mobile medical C-arm X-ray system, illustrative order under 9022 14 00 00, invoiced at £64,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £68,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £68,000, so it is £13,600. 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
Identity: match the model, serial number, tube, detector, software version, conformity documents and English instructions to the order.
Movement: inspect transport damage, castors, brakes, arm locks, cable routing and table clearance throughout the agreed movement range.
Imaging: use the agreed test object to check image uniformity, visible artefacts, fluoroscopy modes, dose display, image storage and export.
Radiation and support: have the agreed specialist check leakage, exposure controls and warning signals; confirm spare-part identification, software licences and UK service arrangements.
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What goes wrong
A demonstration image can hide detector artefacts, image lag or overheating during repeated use. A replacement detector or software package may also differ from the configuration covered by the supplier’s documents. Record the ordered configuration and agree repeatable tests before shipment, then repeat the agreed checks after transport.
Arm drift, weak brakes and damaged cables can obstruct positioning around an operating table. Missing English instructions, incompatible image export and unavailable service tools can delay handover. Failure to register a device prevents lawful placement on the Great Britain market, so resolve registration and document mismatches before sale.
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 mobile medical C-arms from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot shows 0% duty for medical X-ray apparatus, X-ray tubes and X-ray parts, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty on those lines.
Can I sell a Chinese C-arm in Great Britain with a CE mark?
Check that the exact model qualifies under the accepted CE route at the time of sale. Conformity marking does not replace MHRA registration or the overseas manufacturer’s UK Responsible Person.
Does the hospital need HSE registration for a mobile C-arm?
The employer working with X-ray generators should confirm registration requirements with HSE. Agree the radiation risk assessment and radiation protection adviser's involvement before clinical use.
What should I test when a mobile C-arm arrives?
Check transport damage, brakes and arm locks, then compare image quality, exposure controls, dose display and image export with the agreed specification. Arrange specialist radiation checks and confirm service access.