Sourcing radiotherapy accelerators from China
Radiotherapy linear accelerators and relevant parts under heading 9022 carry 0% UK duty from China. Confirm applicable medical device conformity and registration requirements with the MHRA before sale in Great Britain, and operating an accelerator requires HSE consent. Cambridge China Bridge sources radiotherapy linear accelerators.
Duty on radiotherapy accelerators and parts
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 9022 covers apparatus using X-rays or other ionising radiation, including radiotherapy apparatus and associated parts. The selected rows cover medical radiation apparatus and its parts; classification of a linear accelerator depends on the equipment supplied and its radiation modes.
All selected lines carry 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, suspension or attached import control recorded. Elsewhere in this heading, 9022 29 00 00 has an import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases attached. If a separately supplied item falls there, confirm the requirement with your customs broker.
Provide the broker with the intended medical use, beam description and separate parts list to confirm the commodity code. See the wider X-ray equipment guide for other products within this heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical X-ray radiotherapy apparatus | 9022 14 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Medical radiotherapy apparatus using other ionising radiation | 9022 21 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Parts and accessories of X-ray radiotherapy apparatus | 9022 90 20 00 | 0% | None |
| Other radiotherapy apparatus parts and accessories | 9022 90 80 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the beam, treatment system and installation
Define photon and electron modes, beam energies, dose delivery, field shaping, multileaf collimator operation, gantry movement and treatment couch positioning. Agree measurable acceptance criteria with the clinical team. Specify treatment-planning and record-system compatibility, software licences, English instructions, cooling, electrical supply, access routes and the installation responsibilities.
For sale in Great Britain, check the applicable UKCA or accepted CE conformity route and medical device registration with the MHRA. Confirm with the MHRA whether the Chinese manufacturer needs to appoint a UK Responsible Person and what importer notifications and submission of importer details are required.
The employer operating the accelerator must apply for HSE consent. Medical exposure rules also require the employer to appoint a medical physics expert. Involve that expert and the radiation protection adviser when agreeing shielding information, installation tests, commissioning responsibilities and ongoing support.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: four replacement collimator assemblies for X-ray radiotherapy apparatus under 9022 90 20 00, invoiced at £64,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £68,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £68,000, so it is £13,600. 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
Identity: match the model, serial numbers, supplied options and software versions to the order, conformity documents and packing list.
Beam and positioning: have the clinical physics team check dose output, beam profiles, collimator movement and alignment of the beam, imaging system and couch against agreed acceptance criteria.
Safety: arrange specialist checks of door interlocks, emergency stops, beam interruption, warning signals and the installed shielding against the approved design.
Arrival and support: inspect crates and assemblies for impact or moisture damage; reconcile accessories, licences and manuals, and confirm who installs, commissions and services the equipment.
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What goes wrong
A certificate may describe a different model or configuration. Beam data may not match the treatment-planning system, collimator leaves may position inconsistently, or imaging and treatment coordinates may disagree. Missing software licences, damaged assemblies and unclear service responsibility can prevent acceptance. Agree the test protocol, evidence package and correction responsibility before shipment; arrange specialist site testing before accepting the installation.
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 radiotherapy linear accelerators from China?
The selected medical radiotherapy apparatus and parts lines under heading 9022 carry 0% duty from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measure recorded in the supplied tariff facts.
Does operating a radiotherapy accelerator require HSE consent?
Yes. HSE lists operation of an accelerator as a practice requiring consent, including accelerators used for radiotherapy.
Does a Chinese accelerator manufacturer need a UK Responsible Person?
Confirm with the MHRA whether the manufacturer needs a UK Responsible Person to place its medical device on the Great Britain market. Check the representative, MHRA registration and applicable conformity documents for the exact supplied model.
What should I check before accepting a radiotherapy accelerator?
Agree specialist checks of beam output, collimator positioning, imaging alignment, interlocks and shielding. Confirm software compatibility, commissioning evidence and service responsibility.