Sourcing taximeters from China

Taximeter duty and classification

Heading 9029 covers taximeters alongside counters, milometers, speed indicators and related instruments. Complete taximeters fall within 9029 10 00 90; relevant parts and accessories may fall within 9029 90 00 90. The table shows product variants sharing these lines, rather than separate tariff classifications. See the wider counters and speedometers guide.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, the supplied lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. No anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls are recorded for these lines. A tariff entry without controls does not replace the taximeter's product conformity assessment.

Confirm the commodity code using the complete product description and whether the shipment contains finished meters or separately supplied parts. Do not automatically classify a separate printer, display or wiring assembly as a taximeter accessory.

Specify fare calculation and vehicle integration

Specify the vehicle supply, mounting position, distance-signal source, connector pinout, display layout and any receipt-printer interface. Agree how the meter handles distance charging, waiting time, tariff changes and permitted extras. Give the supplier sample journeys with expected fares, including the transition between moving and waiting.

Taximeters are covered by the Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016 and need conformity assessment. Ask for evidence matching the exact model and supplied configuration before ordering. For the Great Britain market, the importer must ensure the required conformity marking, supplementary metrology marking, declaration of conformity and relevant operating information in understandable English accompany the instrument. Use testing and certification support to review the evidence.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: A small batch of dashboard taximeters for a fleet installer, illustrative only under 9029 10 00 90, invoiced at £10,000 free on board, with £1,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £11,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £11,000, so it is £2,200. 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

Identity: compare the model, serial identification, supplied configuration and conformity documents against the approved sample and purchase specification.

Fare calculation: run agreed distance and waiting-time scenarios against a reference; check tariff selection, extras, rounding and the displayed final fare.

Installation: inspect brackets, connector pinout, cable strain relief and distance-signal response on the intended vehicle setup.

Arrival condition: check display readability, buttons, casing, seals and supplied instructions; compare stored settings before and after a power interruption.

What goes wrong

A meter can count distance correctly but calculate the wrong fare because its waiting-time transition, rounding or tariff file differs from the buyer's specification. An incompatible distance signal can also produce plausible but incorrect readings. Agree a vehicle installation test as well as a bench test.

Another problem is receiving documents for a different model or software configuration. Treat changes to the approved sample as review points before shipment. Record the delivered settings and software identification so a later update can be checked against the same fare scenarios.

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.