Time clocks and time recorders from China
Time registers and time recorders from China, such as card-punch clocking-in machines, and other time-of-day and interval recording apparatus with a clock movement or synchronous motor, such as parking meters and process timers, pay 4% UK duty on both lines of heading 9106, with no anti-dumping duty. Biometric terminals may classify elsewhere and bring UK GDPR duties.
Clocking-in machines, time recorders, parking timers and process timers from China pay 4% UK duty. Classification, electrical safety and data rules explained.
4% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, heading 9106 covers time of day recording apparatus and apparatus for measuring, recording or otherwise indicating intervals of time, with clock or watch movement or with synchronous motor. Both lines, time registers and time recorders, and other apparatus, carried 4% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure and no tariff suspension.
The heading depends on a clock or watch movement or synchronous motor. Networked fingerprint or face-recognition attendance terminals that are essentially data-processing machines may be classified in chapter 84 or 85 instead, and time switches are heading 9107, so confirm the commodity code with the product description and, if unsure, an advance tariff ruling.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time registers and time recorders | 9106 10 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Other (parking meters, process and interval timers) | 9106 90 00 00 | 4% | None |
Electrical and data rules
Mains-powered recorders must meet the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 and the Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016, with UKCA or CE marking, and are within the RoHS and WEEE regulations. Ask for the test reports and the declaration of conformity.
Terminals that capture fingerprints or faces process biometric data, which is special category data under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. The employer using the terminal carries those duties, so buyers expect data security features, local storage options and clear documentation.
Specifying time recorders
Specify the recording method (card punch, proximity card, PIN or biometric), clock accuracy, power and battery backup, display and print format, languages, employee capacity, connectivity and software, mounting, plug type, and the English manual and card supplies.
Worked duty example
An invented example rather than a quote: 600 card-punch time recorders, commodity code 9106 10 00 00, bought for £24,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance, so £25,200 is the value customs works from. Duty at the 4% rate for time recorders is £1,008. VAT at 20% applies to £26,208, so £5,241.60. A VAT-registered buyer usually recovers the VAT, so the border adds £1,008 to the landed cost. See calculating UK import duty and VAT for the method.
Inspection checklist
Function: set the clock and check drift over a test period, punch sample cards or badges and check print alignment, and test power failure and battery backup.
Electrical: check the UK plug or adaptor, rating label, UKCA or CE marking and declaration of conformity, and run an electrical safety test on a sample.
Software and data: install the supplied software on a clean computer, check export formats, and confirm how biometric templates are stored and deleted.
What goes wrong
Time recorder orders fail on accuracy, printing and software. Clocks drift after a power cut, print misaligns on UK card sizes, software is only in Chinese or needs a cloud account, and biometric terminals store templates without clear deletion controls.
Test accuracy, printing and software on samples before bulk. See our quality inspection guide.
Cambridge China Bridge sources time recorders and timers for UK office suppliers and payroll resellers, from small first orders. See small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on clocking-in machines from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, time recorders under 9106 10 00 00 carried 4% from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
Are biometric attendance terminals in heading 9106?
Not necessarily. The heading needs a clock movement or synchronous motor; networked terminals may be classified in chapter 84 or 85.
Does a fingerprint clock raise data protection issues?
Yes. Fingerprints are biometric special category data under the UK GDPR, so the employer needs a lawful basis and safeguards.
Are time switches the same heading?
No. Time switches are heading 9107.