Sector guides

Sourcing own-brand small appliances from China

For own-brand kettles, blenders and fans from China, lock the certified configuration of each model, including element, thermostat, motor, cable and plug, and check the safety test reports for that exact model. In Great Britain the electrical equipment rules cover mains appliances rated 50 to 1000V AC. Cambridge China Bridge audits appliance factories and inspects in China.

Buying from China for a business? How our UK China sourcing agent service works · China sourcing agent for UK brand owners

Written by Bono Xu, Founder, Cambridge China Bridge · 3 min read · Updated 2026-09-29

Products and search terms

small appliances, kettles, blenders, electric fans, own-brand appliances, private label appliances

A white electric egg cooker with eggs.

The certificate covers one configuration

An appliance's test report and certificate describe one configuration: the heating element, thermostat, motor, switch, cable, plug and plastics that were tested. A factory that later swaps a component to save cost is shipping a product the report does not cover. List the safety-critical components per model and require written approval before any change.

In Great Britain, the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 apply to equipment designed for a voltage rating between 50 and 1000V AC or 75 and 1500V DC, which covers mains-powered kettles, blenders and fans. The certifications guide covers the marking and documents.

Small appliance control points per model.
PartSpecifyCheck in production
Safety-critical partsElement, thermostat, thermal cut-out, motor, switch and their approved modelsComponent models against the certified list on sampled units
Cable and plugCable type, plug for the destination market and strain reliefPlug type, cable marking and strain relief
Function and safety testsTests run on every unit on the line and on samplesLine test records and a functional check on sampled units
Labels and manualsRating label, marking, importer details and manual languagesLabels and manuals matching the destination market

UK import duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, the lines below carried 2% to 4% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping duty. Most small appliances are 2%; microwave ovens are 4%. Confirm the commodity code for each model, because an air fryer, a multi-cooker and a grill can fall under different lines.

UK duty for goods of Chinese origin (one code per row), read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026. No anti-dumping duty applied to any line.
GoodsCommodity codeDuty
Food grinders, mixers and juice extractors8509 40 00 002%
Other domestic electromechanical appliances8509 80 00 002%
Hairdryers8516 31 00 002%
Electric smoothing irons8516 40 00 002%
Microwave ovens8516 50 00 004%
Coffee or tea makers8516 71 00 002%
Toasters8516 72 00 002%
Deep fat fryers (including many air fryers)8516 79 20 002%
Other electrothermic domestic appliances (for example kettles)8516 79 70 902%

Selling in the Gulf as well as the UK

Other markets have their own certificates. In Saudi Arabia the conformity certificates are issued through SABER and held by the importer; the Saudi Arabia guide sets out the product and shipment certificates. Plan the destination's plug, labelling and manual languages into the specification before tooling.

Our own staff in China audit appliance factories, check component models and line test records against the certified configuration, and supervise loading. We quote to the UK or to your own port, and coordinate with the certification body your market requires.

Frequently asked questions

Why must appliance components be locked?

The test report covers the configuration that was tested. A swapped thermostat, element or cable is a product the report no longer covers.

Which UK rules apply to kettles and blenders?

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 apply to equipment rated between 50 and 1000V AC, which covers mains-powered kitchen appliances.

Can you help with appliances for Saudi Arabia?

Yes. We run the China side and coordinate with the certification body; the Saudi importer holds the SABER certificates.

Sources

  1. Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016, regulation 3

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Tell us the product, quantity and destination. Our own staff in China verify factories, follow production and inspect before shipment. We reply the same working day to confirm receipt and arrange next steps.

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