Sourcing batteries and button cells from China
Primary batteries from China, including alkaline, lithium and button cells, pay 4% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. The 2008 battery regulations ban batteries with more than 0.0005% mercury and portable batteries with more than 0.002% cadmium, and importers take on battery producer duties. Button cells need child-resistant packaging. Cambridge China Bridge sources own-label batteries.
Alkaline, lithium and button cell batteries pay 4% UK duty from China. Mercury and cadmium limits, labelling, producer duties and button cell safety.
Duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, manganese dioxide cylindrical cells, lithium cylindrical cells, lithium button cells and other primary cells and batteries carried 4% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Rechargeable batteries are a different heading; see the renewable energy guide for storage batteries.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese dioxide (alkaline) cylindrical cells | 8506 10 11 00 | 4% | None |
| Lithium cylindrical cells | 8506 50 10 00 | 4% | None |
| Lithium button cells | 8506 50 30 00 | 4% | None |
| Other primary cells and batteries | 8506 80 80 00 | 4% | None |
Mercury, cadmium and labelling
Regulation 4 of the Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2008 says no person shall place on the market a battery containing more than 0.0005% mercury by weight, or a portable battery containing more than 0.002% cadmium by weight, with exceptions for emergency, alarm and medical uses. Ask the factory for chemical test reports for each cell type.
Batteries carry the separate collection symbol and chemical symbols where required, and the business placing them on the UK market takes on battery producer duties for collection and treatment; plan registration with the WEEE obligations.
Button cell safety
Swallowed button cells cause serious injuries to children, so packaging that is hard for children to open and clear warnings are expected, and products that use button cells should hold them in a secure compartment. Put the packaging design and warnings in the product specification.
Lithium cells ship as dangerous goods, so ask for the UN 38.3 test summary and plan the freight mode before booking.
Capacity and shelf life
Capacity and shelf life are the claims customers test. Ask for discharge test data at stated loads, and date codes on each pack, and check them on samples at inspection.
Cambridge China Bridge sources own-label alkaline, lithium and button cell batteries, with chemical tests, labelling, packaging and producer duties planned before production. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on batteries from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, alkaline and lithium primary cells and button cells carried 4% duty from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
What are the UK mercury and cadmium limits for batteries?
Under regulation 4 of the 2008 regulations: no more than 0.0005% mercury by weight in any battery, and no more than 0.002% cadmium in portable batteries, with some exceptions.
What producer duties apply to battery importers?
The business placing batteries on the UK market takes on battery producer duties for collection and treatment, alongside the labelling rules.
How should button cells be packaged?
In packaging that is hard for children to open, with clear warnings, and used in products with a secure battery compartment.