Sourcing pressure washers and sprayers from China
Pressure washers, spray guns, portable sprayers and watering equipment from China pay 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. High-pressure water jet machines must carry a noise mark under the outdoor equipment noise regulations and need a machinery conformity assessment, and the pump and pressure claim decide quality. Cambridge China Bridge sources own-brand cleaning and spraying equipment.
Pressure washers, spray guns and garden sprayers pay 0% UK duty from China. Noise marking, machinery rules and the pump and pressure claims to test.
Zero duty across the range
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, water cleaning appliances with a built-in motor, with or without a heating device, spray guns, portable agricultural and garden sprayers, watering appliances, other spraying appliances and their parts all carried 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
With no duty, the landed price is product, freight and testing. Confirm each commodity code, because a washer, a spray gun and a hose reel sold as a kit may classify separately.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water cleaning appliances with built-in motor and heating device | 8424 30 01 00 | 0% | None |
| Other water cleaning appliances with built-in motor (cold pressure washers) | 8424 30 08 00 | 0% | None |
| Spray guns and similar appliances | 8424 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Portable agricultural or horticultural sprayers | 8424 41 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Agricultural or horticultural watering appliances | 8424 82 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Parts of spraying appliances | 8424 90 80 80 | 0% | None |
Noise marking and machinery rules
The Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001 list high pressure water jet machines in Schedule 2, among the equipment subject to noise marking only: there is no limit, but each machine must carry its guaranteed sound power level. Ask the factory for the noise test report behind the figure on the label.
A pressure washer is also machinery and electrical equipment, so it needs the machinery conformity assessment and electrical safety evidence, and a cordless model brings battery transport rules. The CE and UKCA guide sets out the documents to ask for, and the WEEE guide the take-back obligations.
Pumps and pressure claims
The number on the box is usually the maximum pressure, not the working pressure, and the two can be far apart. Ask for both, and for the flow rate, since cleaning performance depends on flow as much as pressure. The pump head material, brass or aluminium, and whether the pump is axial or crank-driven, decide how long the machine lasts; name them in the product specification.
Test hoses and couplings at pressure on production samples at inspection, and check that the spray lance and fittings match UK accessory standards if customers will use their own.
Spares and seasonality
Garden cleaning sells from spring, and a brand is judged on spares: nozzles, hoses, seals and pump kits. Order spares with the first run, and ask the factory how long it will make the same pump.
Cambridge China Bridge sources own-brand pressure washers, sprayers and watering equipment, with the noise and machinery documents checked and production tested before it ships. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on pressure washers from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, pressure washers with a built-in motor, with or without heating, carried 0% duty from China, as did spray guns and garden sprayers, with no anti-dumping duty.
Do pressure washers need a noise label?
Yes. The 2001 outdoor equipment noise regulations list high pressure water jet machines in Schedule 2, which requires a guaranteed sound power level mark, though no limit.
How should I compare pressure washer specifications?
Ask for working and maximum pressure, flow rate, pump type and pump head material, and test on samples; the box figure is usually the maximum.
What spares should come with an own-brand pressure washer?
Nozzles, hoses, seals and pump kits, ordered with the first run, with the factory's commitment on how long it will make the same pump.