Sourcing synchronous-motor pool timers from China
Synchronous-motor pool-pump time switches from China pay 4% UK duty, with no listed trade remedy or suspension. Mains models need electrical safety compliance, a declaration of conformity and CE or UKCA marking for Great Britain. Specify the pump motor load, rather than relying on a heater rating. Cambridge China Bridge sources synchronous-motor pool-pump time switches.
4% UK duty on synchronous-motor pool timers
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 9107 covers time switches with a clock or watch movement or synchronous motor. The supplied line, 9107 00 00 90, carries 4% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension. The table shows product variants using that same commodity line.
The tariff snapshot attaches a DCMS Export Licence note, including a document waiver for goods manufactured less than 50 years ago. Ask your customs broker to confirm the note's relevance and any waiver documentation. Official guidance states that there are no licensing requirements for importing objects of cultural interest into Great Britain.
Confirm the commodity code using the timing mechanism and product description. A digital timer without a clock movement or synchronous motor may fall under heading 8536 instead. For related products within the heading, see synchronous-motor immersion-heater time switches.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wired synchronous-motor pool-pump time switches | 9107 00 00 90 | 4% | None |
Specify the pump load and timing mechanism
Specify supply voltage and frequency, the synchronous timing motor, dial cycle, switching intervals, manual override and behaviour after a power cut. Agree the mounting arrangement, terminal layout and wiring diagram. State whether the timer switches the pump directly or controls a separate contactor.
Ask for the contact rating for the actual pump motor, including starting current and switching duty. A resistive heater rating alone does not establish suitability for a pump. For exposed installations, agree enclosure protection, cable entries, seals and resistance to the intended poolside environment.
For mains timers sold in Great Britain, confirm the electrical safety, CE or UKCA marking, declaration of conformity and importer identification requirements with the relevant product safety authority. Importers must ensure instructions are in easily understandable English. Assess electromagnetic compatibility applicability, including exceptions. Obtain the manufacturer's technical documentation for hazardous-substance restrictions, and confirm any waste electrical equipment obligations with the relevant environmental authority.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 50 enclosed synchronous-motor pool-pump time switches under 9107 00 00 90, invoiced at £1,500 free on board, with £1,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,500. Duty at 4% is £100. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,600, so it is £520. Import taxes total £620; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £100 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Timing: run the dial through repeated switching cycles, compare it with a reference clock, and check switching tabs, manual override and behaviour after power interruption.
Pump switching: test the agreed motor load or contactor arrangement, including starting, repeated switching, contact sticking and temperature rise.
Enclosure and terminals: check seals, lid closure, cable entries, terminal security, wiring labels and mounting dimensions against the approved sample.
Documents: match the model, electrical ratings, declaration of conformity, test reports, marking, importer details and English instructions. Plan checks using the quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A timer can operate correctly without a load yet overheat or weld its contacts when starting a pump. Other failures include a timing motor supplied for the wrong frequency, loose switching tabs, an override that does not return to automatic operation, and moisture entering around cable entries.
Approve a sample using the intended pump or contactor arrangement. Record the agreed timing behaviour, contact rating and enclosure construction before production, then compare arriving goods with that sample. Check landed-cost calculations using the UK import duty and VAT guide.
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 synchronous-motor pool-pump timers from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot gives 4% duty under 9107 00 00 90, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing measure and no suspension.
Can a pool-pump timer use the same rating as a heater timer?
A heater's resistive-load rating alone is insufficient. Ask for the pump motor switching rating and test starting behaviour, or specify a timer that controls a separate contactor.
Will a synchronous-motor pool timer keep time during a power cut?
Do not assume it will. Ask the supplier to describe any reserve mechanism and demonstrate what happens to the dial and switching schedule when power returns.
What documents should I request before shipment?
Request the model-matched declaration of conformity, electrical safety reports, hazardous-substance documentation, marking artwork, importer identification and English instructions.