Sourcing refrigerated truck bodies from China
Refrigerated truck bodies from China carry 4% UK duty across the supplied tariff lines, with no listed trade remedies or suspensions. Confirm with the relevant vehicle approval authority whether the completed vehicle needs approval before registration; specify chassis fit and prove insulation and cooling performance. Cambridge China Bridge sources refrigerated truck bodies.
UK duty on refrigerated truck bodies
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 8707 covers vehicle bodies, including cabs. This guide concerns refrigerated bodies supplied separately from the chassis. The table shows body configurations rather than separate tariff subheadings; several configurations share a code. See the wider truck bodies and cabs guide.
The supplied lines carry 4% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or steel measure. The tariff also attaches a DCMS Export Licence control. Its note describes a document waiver for recently manufactured goods; ask your customs broker to confirm its relevance and any declaration requirement for your shipment.
Confirm the commodity code against the chassis application and exactly what is shipped. The industrial-assembly line has restricted vehicle and engine conditions; do not select it simply because the body will be fitted in Britain. Ask the broker to check separately supplied panels and refrigeration equipment.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chilled-goods truck bodies, other | 8707 90 90 00 | 4% | None |
| Refrigerated bodies for qualifying industrial assembly | 8707 90 10 00 | 4% | None |
Specify chassis fit and thermal performance
Send the chassis drawing and mounting instructions before design. Fix internal dimensions, subframe mounting points, body weight, floor loading, insulation material and thickness, door arrangement, seals and drainage. State whether the order includes a refrigeration unit, its power supply and refrigerant. Agree a cooling test using the intended cargo temperature, ambient conditions and door-opening pattern.
Before mounting a body on a chassis-cab, confirm with the relevant vehicle approval authority whether the completed vehicle needs approval before registration. Agree who handles any completed-vehicle approval and supplies the chassis documents. Individual vehicle approval can also cover modified goods vehicles. For international carriage of food covered by the ATP agreement, the right transport approval is required; have the proposed body and refrigeration combination checked before ordering.
Food transport must prevent contamination. Specify washable lining, accessible joints and a cleaning method suitable for the intended cargo. Imported fluorinated-gas equipment must be correctly labelled, including empty equipment. If a refrigeration unit is included, have your broker check refrigerant, charge quantity, quota coverage and import paperwork before dispatch.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 4 refrigerated body shells, without refrigeration units under 8707 90 90 00, invoiced at £20,000 free on board, with £6,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £26,800. Duty at 4% is £1,072. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £27,872, so it is £5,574.40. Import taxes total £6,646.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,072 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Chassis fit: measure mounting points, subframe geometry and clearances against the approved drawing; record body weight and inspect welds and fixings.
Insulation and sealing: check panel thickness, bonding and exposed edges; water-test roof seams and doors, and inspect gasket contact around each opening.
Cooling performance: record temperatures across the compartment during the agreed test; check airflow, controller readings, defrost operation and recovery after door opening.
Arrival and documents: inspect panels, floor and door alignment for transport damage; match body identification and supplied equipment to test reports, labels and the agreed approval file. Arrange quality inspection before loading.
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What goes wrong
Leaking joints let water into insulation, floors delaminate and doors sag until seals lose contact. A cold reading beside the evaporator can hide warm areas near the doors. Check the whole compartment under the agreed operating conditions, then repeat the sealing and functional checks after arrival.
A body can fit the chassis yet leave the completed-vehicle approval unresolved. Refrigeration substitutions can also invalidate the buyer's agreed performance evidence. Put the exact body, unit and document responsibilities in the order, and review proposed changes through testing and certification support.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For machinery and equipment, see machinery imports.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on refrigerated truck bodies from China?
The supplied heading 8707 lines carry 4% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension.
Does an imported refrigerated body need vehicle approval?
Confirm with the relevant vehicle approval authority whether the completed vehicle needs approval before registration. Agree any applicable approval route and document responsibilities with the bodybuilder and chassis supplier before ordering.
Do refrigerated trucks need ATP approval?
The right approval is required for international carriage of food covered by the ATP agreement. Have the intended route, cargo and equipment combination checked before ordering.
How do I check that a refrigerated body works?
Agree the cargo temperature and operating conditions, then test temperatures across the compartment, door-opening recovery, insulation, seals and drainage. Check again after arrival.