Sourcing portable fire extinguishers from China
Portable fire extinguishers from China carry 0% UK duty across the listed extinguisher lines. For Great Britain, importers must check the manufacturer's required pressure-equipment conformity assessment. Confirm the extinguishing agent before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources portable fire extinguishers.
Zero duty, with agent controls to check
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 7 October 2026, the listed extinguisher lines under heading 8424 carried 0% duty for goods from China. The heading covers extinguishers whether or not charged, alongside spraying and projecting appliances. The selected lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
The tariff attaches a restriction on entry into free circulation concerning ozone-depleting substances and an import control for fluorinated greenhouse gases. New equipment must not use ozone-depleting substances, except recycled halons for critical uses. Equipment containing banned fluorinated gases must not be placed on the Great Britain market. Give your broker the agent composition and charge, and confirm the applicable declaration requirements before shipment.
Confirm the commodity code from the complete product specification, its charged or uncharged condition and cylinder construction. The parts row is for separately imported parts, rather than complete extinguishers. See refills and charges for related supplies.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charged portable fire extinguishers, other | 8424 10 00 80 | 0% | None |
| Uncharged portable fire extinguishers, other | 8424 10 00 29 | 0% | None |
| Uncharged extinguishers within the high-pressure seamless steel cylinder description | 8424 10 00 21 | 0% | None |
| Other parts, potentially including portable extinguisher parts | 8424 90 80 80 | 0% | None |
Specify the agent, cylinder and discharge performance
Specify the intended fire risks, extinguishing agent and composition, filling quantity, cylinder material, allowable pressure, operating temperature range, valve, hose or horn, bracket and refill arrangements. Request fire-performance and pressure-test reports for the exact model and agent combination.
For supply in Great Britain, importers must check that the manufacturer has carried out the required conformity assessment and provide importer identification and a postal address on the equipment, or where this is not possible, on packaging or accompanying documentation. English instructions are required. Match the model and cylinder markings to the documents before approving production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 40 charged portable fire extinguishers under 8424 10 00 80, invoiced at £8,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,200, so it is £1,840. 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
Agent and filling: compare the agent specification and filling records with the approved sample; weigh sampled units and investigate discrepancies.
Cylinder and valve: check dents, corrosion, weld finish, valve seating, safety pins and tamper seals; review leak-test records and any gauge reading against the factory specification.
Discharge and fittings: arrange controlled sample discharge tests with a competent test provider; check operation, hose connections, spray pattern and bracket fit.
Documents and arrival: match model identifiers, markings and English instructions to the shipment; inspect for transit damage and leakage. Agree these checks through your inspection plan.
What goes wrong
Problems to look for include leaking valves, incorrect filling, blocked hoses, damaged cylinders and brackets that do not fit. A gauge reading alone does not establish the agent quantity or discharge performance.
A report for a different cylinder, valve or agent combination leaves the delivered model unverified. Agree the approved components and agent formulation in writing, and require revised evidence before accepting substitutions.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on portable fire extinguishers from China?
The listed charged and uncharged extinguisher lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension in the supplied tariff data.
What documents should I ask the extinguisher factory for?
Ask for the model-specific declaration of conformity, conformity-assessment evidence, pressure and fire-performance reports, agent specification, filling records and English instructions.
Can I import any extinguishing agent?
Check the exact composition first. New equipment cannot use ozone-depleting substances except recycled halons for critical uses. Banned fluorinated gases cannot be placed on the Great Britain market.
What should I check when the extinguishers arrive?
Check cylinder damage, leakage, safety pins, seals, filling records, model identifiers, instructions and bracket fit. Compare sampled units with the approved specification and test evidence.