Sourcing recessed ground lights from China
Recessed ground lights from China carry UK duty of 2% or 4%, depending on their classification and material. For mains models, confirm with the relevant authority which electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility and hazardous substance rules apply. Check sealing and load claims against the exact assembly. Cambridge China Bridge sources recessed ground lights.
Duty depends on the light design and material
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 9405 covers luminaires and lighting fittings, including relevant recessed ground lights. The selected spotlight lines carry 2% duty on goods from China. Other selected plastic fittings carry 4%, while the selected other-material fittings carry 2%. These lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.
The selected lines also carry a DCMS Export Licence entry. Official guidance states that there are no licensing requirements for importing objects of cultural interest into Great Britain. Ask your customs broker to confirm how the tariff entry is handled for your goods; do not treat the entry alone as an import licence requirement.
Send the broker drawings, material details, light-source design and intended installation to confirm the commodity code. Do not classify a recessed spotlight as an ordinary fitting solely because both sit in the ground. See the LED bulkhead lights guide for wider heading coverage.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recessed ground spotlights designed solely for LED light sources | 9405 42 10 00 | 2% | None |
| Other recessed ground lights solely for LED light sources, of plastics | 9405 42 31 00 | 4% | None |
| Other recessed ground lights solely for LED light sources, of other materials | 9405 42 39 90 | 2% | None |
| Other recessed ground spotlights, not solely for LED light sources | 9405 49 10 00 | 2% | None |
| Other recessed ground lights of plastics, not solely for LED light sources | 9405 49 40 00 | 4% | None |
| Other recessed ground lights of other materials, not solely for LED sources | 9405 49 90 90 | 2% | None |
Specify the complete buried assembly
Specify the mounting sleeve, cut-out, installation depth, bezel finish, lens, gasket, cable gland and connector arrangement. State whether the location is pedestrian-only or exposed to vehicles, and ask for load-test evidence matching the complete assembly. Agree drainage assumptions and access for replacing the light source or driver.
Record supply voltage, driver location, beam angle, colour temperature, light output and dimming behaviour. Freeze the component list and approved sample. Request ingress and thermal testing that represents the supplied cable entries, seals and mounting arrangement, rather than accepting a report for a similar housing.
For mains lighting, confirm with the relevant authority which electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility and hazardous substance restrictions apply and which declarations and technical documentation are needed to demonstrate compliance. Applicable light-source ecodesign and energy information requirements and WEEE producer registration also need checking. For electrical equipment within scope, importers must ensure instructions are in easily understandable English. Arrange testing and certification checks before approving production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 400 metal recessed ground lights designed solely for LED light sources under 9405 42 39 90, invoiced at £22,000 free on board, with £3,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £25,500. Duty at 2% is £510. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £26,010, so it is £5,202. Import taxes total £5,712; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £510 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: measure the body and sleeve against the approved drawing; check that the bezel sits flush and the assembly can be removed for maintenance.
Seals: inspect gasket seating, lens edges, gland compression and cable damage; test the complete assembly against the agreed ingress claim.
Structure: inspect lens chips, bezel distortion, loose fasteners and finish defects; compare the delivered construction with the load-test sample.
Operation: compare beam, colour and output across samples; run the agreed thermal and operating checks, and match driver references, declarations and English instructions to the delivered model.
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What goes wrong
Water can enter through a poorly compressed gland or displaced gasket even when the housing sample passed testing. A sealed light also needs an installation brief that addresses surrounding drainage. Check the supplied assembly and instructions together, including connectors that will sit below ground.
A changed lens, thinner bezel or different sleeve can undermine a load claim. Driver substitutions can change temperature, dimming and colour consistency. Make component changes subject to written approval and review the supporting test evidence before accepting the batch.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on recessed ground lights from China?
The selected lines carry 2% or 4%: spotlights carry 2%; other selected plastic fittings carry 4%, and other-material fittings carry 2%. No trade remedies or suspensions are listed.
Does a waterproof housing report cover the finished ground light?
Check that the report matches the lens, gasket, gland, cable and connector arrangement supplied. Agree testing of the complete assembly, including its mounting arrangement.
Can I use recessed ground lights on a driveway?
Specify vehicle exposure before ordering. Request load-test evidence for the exact lens, bezel, body and sleeve, and check that the installation instructions match the intended use.
What compliance documents should I request?
For mains models, request declarations and technical documentation covering electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility and hazardous substance restrictions, plus easily understandable English instructions.