Sourcing spark plugs and starter motors from China
Spark plugs, magnetos, distributors, ignition coils, starter motors, alternators and parts from China pay 2% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. No type approval is needed for these replacement parts, but they must be safe, and counterfeit branded plugs are a common trap. Fitment data and bench tests matter. Cambridge China Bridge sources ignition and starting parts for UK and overseas buyers.
Spark plugs, ignition coils, starter motors and alternators pay 2% UK duty from China. Brand marks, fitment and remanufacturing explained.
Duty at 2%
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, sparking plugs, ignition magnetos and magnetic flywheels, distributors and ignition coils, starter motors and starter-generators, other generators such as alternators, other ignition and starting equipment, and parts carried 2% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Some specific coil and module designs have their own codes at the same rate; confirm the commodity code for each part.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spark plugs | 8511 10 00 90 | 2% | None |
| Magnetos, magneto-dynamos, magnetic flywheels | 8511 20 00 90 | 2% | None |
| Distributors and ignition coils | 8511 30 00 90 | 2% | None |
| Starter motors and starter-generators | 8511 40 00 90 | 2% | None |
| Other generators, including alternators | 8511 50 00 90 | 2% | None |
| Other ignition and starting equipment | 8511 80 00 90 | 2% | None |
| Parts | 8511 90 00 90 | 2% | None |
Brands and counterfeits
Plugs and coils sold under well-known brand names are among the most counterfeited car parts. Buy under your own brand or from the brand's authorised channel, and never accept goods carrying another company's mark without its permission; the IP guide explains why seizures fall on the importer.
Cross-reference part numbers can be quoted for fitment, but should not be printed in a way that suggests the part is made by that brand.
Safety and fitment
These parts do not need type approval when sold as replacements, but they must be safe under UK product safety law, and that duty sits with the importer of record. Ask for heat range, thread and reach for plugs, and voltage, output current, pinion teeth and mounting for starters and alternators.
Remanufactured starters and alternators must be sold as remanufactured, with the core return terms agreed.
Bench tests and inspection
Bench-test starters and alternators on samples for current draw and output, and check plug gap and insulation. At inspection, sample by part number and check boxes, labels and cross-reference lists.
Cambridge China Bridge sources spark plugs, coils, starters and alternators, with fitment and brand questions settled before the order. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on starter motors from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, starter motors, alternators, spark plugs, ignition coils and their parts carried 2% duty from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
Do replacement spark plugs need type approval?
No, but they must be safe under UK product safety law, and the importer carries that duty.
Can I sell plugs that list a brand's part numbers?
Cross-reference numbers can be used to show fitment, but the part must not carry another company's mark or suggest it was made by that brand.
Where are alternators classified?
With other generators of heading 8511, at 2% from China.