Sourcing satellite dish antennas from China
Satellite dish antennas and relevant aerial parts from China carry 0% UK duty on the selected lines, with no listed trade remedies. Consumer dishes sold in Great Britain must be safe. Specify reflector geometry, feed fit and mounting strength before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources satellite dish antennas.
Duty on satellite dishes and aerial parts
Heading 8529 includes aerials, aerial reflectors and suitable parts. For satellite dishes, distinguish an outdoor television aerial from a separately supplied reflector or aerial part. The table includes adjacent filters and separators supplied with reception systems; it is not a declaration that every dish uses the same code.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 October 2026, the selected lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. They showed no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, tariff suspension or attached import control. Other parts elsewhere in this heading have narrowly described suspensions; those do not establish eligibility for a dish.
Confirm the commodity code using the intended reception function, drawings and contents of the shipment. For the feed electronics, see satellite dish LNBs.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outside aerials for radio or television receivers | 8529 10 30 00 | 0% | None |
| Other aerials, subject to the dish's application | 8529 10 69 00 | 0% | None |
| Other aerial reflectors and aerial parts | 8529 10 95 00 | 0% | None |
| Other aerial filters and separators supplied separately | 8529 10 80 90 | 0% | None |
Reflector geometry, feed fit and safe mounting
Specify offset or prime-focus construction, reflector dimensions and profile, material, thickness, coating and feed-arm position. Agree the reception band and measured gain across that band. Identify the intended feed assembly and receiver, and approve an assembled sample rather than relying on catalogue photographs.
Define the mast interface, adjustment range, fasteners and mounting loads for the intended installation. Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Ask for mounting test evidence and clear assembly instructions, and assess sharp edges, loose clamps and the risk of the dish detaching.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of outdoor satellite television dish antennas under 8529 10 30 00, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £12,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,600, so it is £2,520. 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
Reflector: compare the profile and feed-arm position with the approved drawing; inspect dents, twists, rim damage and coating coverage.
Reception: test assembled samples with the agreed feed and receiver under comparable conditions; compare results with the approved sample and supplier's gain data.
Mounting: assemble the bracket, check mast fit, adjustment and fastener engagement, and check that clamps hold the agreed position.
Packing: check hardware bags and instructions against the packing list; confirm that nested dishes cannot rub or deform and that feed arms are protected. Agree these checks through quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A dish can look correct but perform poorly because its reflector is distorted or the feed sits in the wrong position. Brackets with excessive play make alignment difficult, while damaged coating and poorly protected fasteners encourage corrosion.
Approve the complete assembly and packing before production. Record the reflector profile, feed fit and mounting checks so substitutions are visible. Investigate transit damage separately from reception faults before accepting a replacement design.
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 satellite dishes from China?
The selected aerial, reflector and aerial-part lines carry 0% duty from China in the tariff reading dated 30 October 2026, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the exact code for your shipment.
Which commodity code should I use for a satellite dish?
Start with its reception function and whether you are importing an assembled aerial, a reflector or separate parts. Give your customs broker drawings and the packing list before confirming the code.
What should I specify when buying satellite dishes?
Reflector profile and material, reception band, measured gain, feed position, mast fit, bracket adjustment, coating, fasteners and protective packing.
How do I check a satellite dish sample?
Assemble it with the intended feed and receiver, compare reception with the approved sample, inspect reflector shape and check that the mounting clamps hold position.