Sourcing motorhomes from China

UK duty on motorhomes from China

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the motorhome lines shown under heading 8703 carry 10% duty for goods from China. Classification depends on fuel, engine capacity and whether the vehicle is new or used. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded for these lines. The ambulance-only suspension does not cover ordinary motorhomes.

The tariff attaches fluorinated greenhouse gas import control, and waste import control to the used line shown. Official guidance includes vehicle air-conditioning within pre-charged equipment. Obtain the refrigerant identity and charge quantity, then have your customs broker confirm the applicable requirement. For a Chinese vehicle treated as notified waste, the exporter must seek consent from the dispatch-country competent authority; confirm the waste classification and applicable controls before shipment.

Confirm the completed vehicle's classification using finding your commodity code. The electric car guide covers another product family within the wider heading. Budget separately for import VAT using the duty and VAT guide.

Specify the completed motorhome

Agree the chassis, engine, gearbox, steering position, travelling seats, sleeping layout and storage before ordering. Request measured vehicle mass and a payload calculation that accounts for passengers, water, luggage and fitted accessories. Specify roof openings, insulation, tank locations, heating, cooking equipment, refrigeration and the electrical installation.

Proof of vehicle approval is needed to register and tax the imported vehicle. Confirm the approval route for the completed motorhome before committing to the chassis or conversion. Ask who supplies the supporting documents and who resolves specification changes. Agree spare parts, appliance manuals, wiring diagrams and responsibility for warranty repairs in the UK.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative dealer order of 20 new diesel motorhomes under 8703 32 11 00, invoiced at £400,000 free on board, with £16,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £416,000. Duty at 10% is £41,600. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £457,600, so it is £91,520. Import taxes total £133,120; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £41,600 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity and configuration: compare the chassis identification, engine, travelling seats and fitted equipment with the order and approval documents.

Body and water ingress: inspect roof joints, windows, service hatches and underside seals; run a water test and check for damp inside cupboards and beneath flooring.

Payload and storage: weigh the completed vehicle, review axle loading and check that tanks, batteries and cupboards are securely mounted.

Habitation systems: have competent specialists check gas and electrical installations; operate heating, refrigeration, water pumps and drains. Record results through a quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A chassis document may be offered without evidence covering the finished conversion. Added furniture, tanks and accessories can consume the expected payload. Poorly sealed roof openings can leak, cupboards can loosen in transit, and appliances may differ from the agreed specification.

Make acceptance depend on the completed build and recorded tests. Compare arrival condition with pre-shipment photographs, repeat water and appliance checks, and record missing documents or damage before releasing the vehicle for sale.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For machinery and equipment, see machinery imports.