Sourcing plastic cable glands from China
Plastic electrical cable glands from China qualifying as plastic insulating fittings pay 0% UK duty under 8547 20 00 00. For business-to-business components, distinguish the component from the finished electrical product's hazardous-substance obligations. Specify threads, cable range and seals. Cambridge China Bridge sources plastic electrical cable glands.
0% duty on plastic insulating fittings
Heading 8547 covers insulating fittings for electrical equipment, wholly of insulating material apart from minor metal components incorporated during moulding solely for assembly. This guide concerns plastic cable glands qualifying as those fittings. The table shows product variants under the same plastics commodity line, rather than separate tariff categories.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 6 October 2026, code 8547 20 00 00 carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for this line. Import VAT is separate from customs duty.
Send the material specification, drawing and intended function to your broker to confirm the commodity code. See insulating fittings for the wider heading and import duty and VAT for the calculation method.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic cable glands with metric entry threads | 8547 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the thread, cable grip and seal
Specify the resin grade, colour, entry thread form and pitch, threaded length, enclosure wall thickness, cable outside-diameter range and seal material. State whether locknuts, sealing washers and strain-relief tails are included. Provide the actual cable and enclosure drawing for sample approval.
Agree the operating environment, temperature range, tightening method and required sealing performance. Ask for test evidence matching the gland, seal and cable combination being supplied. A report for a different sealing insert or thread length does not establish the performance of your order.
For supply into Great Britain, official guidance excludes component parts sold business-to-business from the RoHS Regulations. Confirm with the relevant product-safety authority which hazardous-substance requirements apply to the finished electrical product. Ask for material declarations and supporting reports covering the gland body and seals so the assembler can assess compliance.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative mixed-size batch of plastic electrical cable glands under 8547 20 00 00, invoiced at £15,000 free on board, with £700 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £15,700. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £15,700, so it is £3,140. 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
Threads: check form, pitch and usable length against the drawing, then trial-fit glands and locknuts to the intended enclosure.
Cable grip: fit cables at the ends of the agreed diameter range and check retention using the agreed tightening method.
Seals: check insert material, seating and washer completeness; test assembled samples for the sealing performance specified in the order.
Materials and packing: match resin evidence to the batch, inspect for cracks and flash, and check that carton labels distinguish sizes and included accessories.
What goes wrong
A gland can fit the enclosure yet fail to grip the cable because the insert has the wrong bore or hardness. Short entry threads may leave insufficient engagement through the enclosure wall. Missing washers, split seals and flash on sealing surfaces can compromise the assembled seal.
Resin substitution and excessive tightening can leave brittle bodies or stripped threads. Keep an approved assembled sample, record the material and tightening instructions, and check bulk goods against them before shipment. Use the quality inspection guide to organise these checks.
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 plastic cable glands from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 0% for plastic insulating fittings under 8547 20 00 00, with no listed trade remedy, suspension or import control. Confirm that your gland qualifies for this code.
What should I specify when ordering plastic cable glands?
Specify resin grade, thread form and pitch, entry length, cable diameter range, seal material, enclosure wall thickness and included accessories. Approve samples with your actual cable and enclosure.
Do business-to-business cable gland components need RoHS compliance?
Official guidance excludes component parts sold business-to-business from RoHS scope. Confirm with the relevant product-safety authority which requirements apply to the finished electrical product, and obtain material evidence for the assembler.
How do I check a supplier's waterproof claim?
Ask for test evidence matching the supplied gland, insert, cable range and assembly method. Trial-fit samples and test the agreed sealing performance; appearance alone does not establish it.