Sourcing printed circuit boards from China
Bare printed circuit boards, multilayer and single or double sided, from China pay 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. A PCB order is defined by its Gerber and fabrication files: laminate grade, layer count, copper weight, surface finish and the acceptability class, with electrical testing on every board. Cambridge China Bridge sources PCBs and assembled boards for UK product companies.
Printed circuit boards pay 0% UK duty from China. Gerber files, laminate grade, surface finish, acceptability class and IP protection decide the order.
Zero duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, printed circuits consisting only of conductor elements and contacts, multilayer or other, and printed circuits with other passive elements carried 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
A board with components mounted is an assembled board and classified by what it is part of, so confirm the commodity code for assemblies; the electronics guide covers finished products.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Printed circuits with only conductor elements and contacts, multilayer | 8534 00 11 00 | 0% | None |
| Printed circuits with only conductor elements and contacts, other | 8534 00 19 00 | 0% | None |
| Printed circuits with other passive elements | 8534 00 90 00 | 0% | None |
The fabrication package
Send Gerber or ODB++ files with a fabrication drawing that states the laminate and its glass transition and flammability rating, layer count and stack-up, board thickness, copper weight, minimum track and gap, surface finish, solder mask and silkscreen colour, and the acceptability class of the finished board. Ambiguity in the drawing becomes the factory's choice.
Ask for electrical testing of every board, for impedance control where the design needs it, and for a certificate of conformance and test record with each batch.
Materials and restricted substances
Boards that go into electrical products sold in the UK must allow the finished product to meet the restricted substances rules, so a lead-free surface finish and laminate declarations are usually part of the specification. Ask the factory for material declarations for the laminate, mask and finish.
Check a sample from each batch for plating thickness, solderability, bow and twist and cross-section quality where the application demands it.
Protecting the design
Your Gerber files are your product. Use a non-disclosure agreement suited to China, split sensitive work where it matters, and keep your own copy of every revision; see protecting your IP.
Cambridge China Bridge sources bare and assembled PCBs for UK product companies, with the fabrication package, testing and IP arrangements agreed before production. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on PCBs from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, bare printed circuits, multilayer or otherwise, carried 0% duty from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
What should a PCB order include?
Gerber or ODB++ files and a fabrication drawing stating laminate, layers, thickness, copper weight, track and gap, finish, mask, silkscreen and acceptability class.
Should every PCB be electrically tested?
Yes, ask for electrical testing of every board and a test record with each batch.
How can I protect my PCB design in China?
Use a China-suited non-disclosure agreement, split sensitive work where needed, and control every file revision.