Sourcing paragliders and parachutes from China
Parachutes from China, including paragliders, rotochutes, cargo and drone recovery parachutes, and their parts and accessories, pay 2% UK duty under the single code 8804 00 00 00, with no anti-dumping duty. These are life-critical products, so buyers rely on recognised test standards and reports, material certificates, and inspection of stitching, lines and canopy before sale.
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2% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 28 September 2026, heading 8804 covers parachutes, including dirigible parachutes and paragliders, and rotochutes, with their parts and accessories. It is a single code carrying 2% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Kites and toy parachutes are other headings; confirm the commodity code from the product.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parachutes, paragliders and rotochutes; parts and accessories | 8804 00 00 00 | 2% | None |
Standards and specification
Sport paragliders are commonly tested and classified to the EN 926 series, and harnesses and reserve parachutes have their own test standards. Skydiving equipment is used under the rules of the sport's governing body, so check what approvals your customers need before ordering. Ask for the test report for the exact model and size, not a related one.
Specify canopy fabric and coating, line material and strength, stitching, load range, sizes, and the documentation supplied with each unit, such as a manual and inspection record. Ask for traceability of each unit to its production batch.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 30 paragliders under 8804 00 00 00, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £25,200. Duty at 2% is £504. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £25,704, so it is £5,140.80. Import taxes total £5,644.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £504 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Construction: check stitching, line lengths and attachment points.
Materials: check fabric and line against certificates.
Documents: check test reports, manuals and serial numbers. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Parachute orders fail on documentation and consistency. Test reports cover a different size or model, line lengths drift from the specification, and units ship without manuals or serial traceability.
Cambridge China Bridge sources materials for UK manufacturers with documents agreed before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on paragliders from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 28 September 2026, paragliders under 8804 00 00 00 carried 2% from China.
Which standards apply to paragliders?
Sport paragliders are commonly tested and classified to the EN 926 series; ask for the report for the exact model and size.
Are drone parachutes in heading 8804?
Parachutes, including those for cargo or drone recovery, and their parts are in heading 8804.
What should I inspect on a parachute?
Stitching, line lengths, attachment points, materials and serial traceability.