Sourcing timer switches from China
Time switches with a clock or watch movement or a synchronous motor from China, such as mechanical plug-in timers, DIN-rail time switches and immersion heater timers, pay 4% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. Plug-in timers with a UK plug must meet the plug and socket safety rules, and all mains timers need electrical safety evidence.
Plug-in timers, DIN-rail time switches and immersion heater timers from China pay 4% UK duty. BS 1363 plugs, BS EN 60730-2-7 and inspection points.
4% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, time switches with clock or watch movement or with synchronous motor, heading 9107, carried 4% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. The only other line is for time switches used in certain aircraft.
Digital timers without a clock movement or synchronous motor, and smart sockets controlled by an app, may be classified as switches under heading 8536 instead, so confirm the commodity code from how the timer keeps time.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time switches with clock movement or synchronous motor, other than for aircraft | 9107 00 00 90 | 4% | None |
Plug and electrical safety
Plug-in timers fitted with a UK plug fall under the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994, which require UK plugs to meet BS 1363 and be approved, and all mains timers fall under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016, with UKCA marking, a declaration of conformity and a UK importer name and address. Timers are usually tested to BS EN 60730-2-7 for timers and time switches, and WEEE obligations apply.
Specifying timers
Specify mechanical or digital, plug-in or DIN-rail or wired, rated current and load type (resistive, inductive, lamp), shortest switching interval, number of programmes, battery backup, the plug and fuse rating, and retail packaging with UK instructions.
Worked duty example
Take a hypothetical order of 20,000 plug-in timer switches, entered under 9107 00 00 90: £40,000 free on board plus £1,800 of freight and insurance gives a customs value of £41,800. The 4% duty on timer switches comes to £1,672, and import VAT is 20% of £43,472, which is £8,694.40. If you are VAT-registered you normally reclaim the £8,694.40, leaving £1,672 as the real cost at the border. Step by step: UK import duty and VAT.
Inspection checklist
Function: set a sample to switch on and off over several cycles, check accuracy against a reference clock, and check the manual override.
Electrical safety: check plug pin dimensions, sleeving and fuse rating, earth continuity, the load rating marked on the body, and a hi-pot test on samples.
Documents: check the BS 1363 approval, declaration of conformity and test reports match the model before shipment.
What goes wrong
Timer orders fail on plugs, ratings and accuracy. Plugs lack pin sleeving or approval, the relay cannot carry the marked current and overheats with heaters, clocks drift, pins on mechanical dials break, and instructions are not in English.
Test samples under full load, check the plug approval, and approve the packaging. See our quality inspection guide.
Cambridge China Bridge sources timers and plug-in electrical accessories for UK retailers and electrical wholesalers, and has no minimum order of its own; the factory's minimum per model applies. See small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on timer switches from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, time switches with clock movement or synchronous motor (9107 00 00 90) carried 4% from China.
Are digital timers the same code?
Not always. Timers without a clock movement or synchronous motor may be classified as switches under heading 8536.
Do plug-in timers need BS 1363 plugs?
Yes. The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 require UK plugs to meet BS 1363 and be approved.
What should be tested?
Switching over several cycles, accuracy, full-load current, plug dimensions and electrical safety.