Sourcing solar garden lights from China
Solar garden lights from China carry 2% to 4% UK duty under the photovoltaic LED lighting lines, depending on construction and material. Solar power does not remove WEEE producer responsibilities; check the battery obligations separately and obtain model-specific compliance evidence. Cambridge China Bridge sources solar garden lights.
Solar garden light duty: 2% or 4%
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 9405 covers luminaires, lighting fittings and their parts. Its photovoltaic LED lines are relevant to solar garden lights designed solely for LED light sources. Plastic fittings carry 4%; spotlights and the listed other-material fittings carry 2% on goods from China.
The selected lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions. The tariff attaches a DCMS Export Licence entry. The importer should confirm with their customs broker whether any documentation is relevant to the shipment.
Confirm the commodity code using the light source, photovoltaic construction, material and intended mounting. Do not assume every garden light shares the same code. For the wider lighting heading, see LED street lights.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar LED garden spotlights | 9405 41 10 00 | 2% | None |
| Solar LED garden fittings of plastics | 9405 41 31 00 | 4% | None |
| Hand-made solar LED garden fittings of other materials | 9405 41 39 10 | 2% | None |
| Other solar LED garden fittings of other materials | 9405 41 39 90 | 2% | None |
Specify charging, battery and outdoor performance
Agree the solar panel construction, rechargeable battery chemistry and capacity, light output, colour, dusk switching and any motion-sensor settings. Define the charging conditions behind a runtime claim, including panel exposure and operating mode. Keep an approved sample and a bill of materials identifying the panel, battery, circuit and seals.
RoHS compliance requires technical documentation. Ask for evidence tied to the actual production model and components. Lamps and luminaires also have WEEE producer registration obligations: producers must register annually, and solar-powered products can be covered. Battery producer responsibilities apply separately to batteries supplied inside the lights. Arrange testing and certification around the agreed design.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 600 plastic solar garden lights under 9405 41 31 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £3,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,500. Duty at 4% is £380. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,880, so it is £1,976. Import taxes total £2,356; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £380 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Charging: on arrival, compare the panel and battery with the approved sample; test charging and runtime under the agreed conditions.
Controls: check dusk switching, manual switches and sensor modes; compare brightness and colour across samples.
Weather seals: inspect panel joints, battery covers and cable entries; test water resistance against the agreed claim and look for condensation.
Assembly: check stakes, brackets, fasteners and battery contacts; inspect for cracked housings, loose wiring and damaged packing.
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What goes wrong
A light that works after a full charge can still disappoint after shaded or cloudy charging. Battery or panel substitutions can shorten runtime, while an exposed dusk sensor may switch incorrectly under nearby lighting. Water entering the battery cover can corrode contacts and cause intermittent operation.
Tie performance claims to recorded test conditions rather than a demonstration on a sunny day. Require written approval for component changes, retain production samples and repeat charging and water-resistance checks before shipment.
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 solar garden lights from China?
The selected photovoltaic LED lines carry 2% to 4%: plastic fittings are 4%; spotlights and the listed other-material fittings are 2%. No anti-dumping or countervailing measures are shown.
Do solar garden lights fall under WEEE?
Solar-powered products can be covered by WEEE. Lamps and luminaires have producer registration obligations, and producers must register annually.
Do batteries inside solar lights create separate responsibilities?
Yes. A UK business first placing batteries on the UK market, including batteries inside products, has battery producer responsibilities. Check these separately from WEEE.
How should I check a solar garden light's runtime?
Agree charging exposure and operating mode first. Test production samples under those conditions and compare the panel, battery and circuit with the approved sample.