Sourcing staircase time switches from China

4% duty on staircase time switches

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 9107 covers time switches with a clock or watch movement or a synchronous motor. The supplied tariff data contains a single relevant line, 9107 00 00 90, carrying 4% duty for goods from China. No anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension is recorded.

The tariff attaches a DCMS Export Licence measure. Its supplied wording gives a document waiver for goods manufactured less than 50 years ago. Official guidance states that cultural objects have no import licensing requirement in Great Britain. Ask your customs broker to confirm how this export measure and its waiver relate to your declaration.

Confirm the commodity code using the motor specification, timing mechanism and wiring diagram. Do not assume an electronic replacement has the same classification. See the wider timer switches guide for other products within this heading.

Specify the motor, lighting load and push-button circuit

Specify a synchronous-motor timing mechanism, supply voltage and frequency, adjustable lighting duration and timing tolerance. Agree whether another push-button press restarts or extends the interval, how a held button behaves, and whether continuous lighting is available. State the intended mounting, enclosure dimensions, terminal layout and wiring arrangement.

Give the factory the actual lamp and driver details. Agree the switching rating for that lighting load, including starting current, rather than accepting a general resistive-load rating. Specify compatibility with illuminated push-buttons, terminal conductor capacity and the behaviour after a power interruption.

For mains timers, confirm electrical safety conformity evidence, CE or UKCA marking, declaration of conformity and importer-identification requirements for Great Britain with the relevant authority. Instructions must be in understandable English. Electrical equipment liable to generate electromagnetic disturbance falls within the electromagnetic compatibility rules, subject to exceptions. Hazardous-substance rules cover electrical equipment unless specifically excluded; request supporting material evidence. Plan waste electrical equipment obligations, including annual producer registration. Arrange testing and certification around the actual model.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5,000 synchronous-motor staircase-lighting time switches under 9107 00 00 90, invoiced at £40,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £41,800. Duty at 4% is £1,672. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £43,472, so it is £8,694.40. Import taxes total £10,366.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,672 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Timing: measure the lighting interval at different settings, repeat operating cycles, and check retriggering, held-button behaviour and restoration after a power interruption.

Lighting load: test with the intended lamps and drivers; check reliable switching, contact sticking, abnormal heating and operation with illuminated push-buttons.

Construction: check mounting fit, terminal markings, conductor retention, enclosure damage and the manual override against the approved sample.

Documents: match the motor, contact assembly and finished model to the declaration, test reports, conformity marking, importer details and English wiring instructions. Use the quality inspection guide to agree the inspection scope.

What goes wrong

A similar-looking replacement can have a different timing mechanism, terminal arrangement or push-button circuit. Problems to test for include intervals that vary between cycles, gears that stall, contacts that stick under the intended lighting load and illuminated buttons that interfere with switching.

Keep an approved sample and wiring diagram with the purchase specification. Check production units against both before shipment and on arrival. A general-purpose timer report should not be accepted without checking whether it covers the supplied staircase switch, motor and lighting-load rating.

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.