Sourcing TVS diodes from China
Transient voltage suppression diodes from China carry 0% UK duty under 8541 10 00 00, with no listed trade remedies. Official guidance excludes component parts sold business to business from the scope of the hazardous-substances regulations. Cambridge China Bridge sources transient voltage suppression diodes.
UK duty on transient voltage suppression diodes
Heading 8541 covers semiconductor devices and other specified electronic components. Discrete transient voltage suppression diodes fit the line for diodes other than photosensitive or light-emitting diodes, 8541 10 00 00. The table separates buying formats sharing that commodity line.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, this line carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. Import VAT at 20% still applies.
Confirm the commodity code against the datasheet and the goods actually supplied, particularly where the purchase includes an assembled protection board. For the wider diode family, see Zener diodes.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unidirectional transient voltage suppression diodes | 8541 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the surge behaviour and package
Specify unidirectional or bidirectional operation, working stand-off voltage, breakdown range, clamping voltage at the stated pulse current, and the pulse waveform used for the rating. Include leakage, capacitance, temperature conditions, package dimensions and land pattern. A headline peak-power rating alone does not establish suitability for your circuit.
Agree the manufacturer and exact part designation, approved substitutes, lead finish, reel orientation and batch traceability. Request material declarations for the exact part to support your customer's substance review. Official Great Britain guidance says component parts sold business to business are outside the scope of the regulations restricting hazardous substances in electrical equipment.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order, not a quotation: 10,000 surface-mount transient voltage suppression diodes under 8541 10 00 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,600, so it is £720. 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: match reel labels, package markings, manufacturer and batch references to the approved part and purchase order.
Electrical results: sample breakdown voltage and leakage under the agreed conditions; compare pulse clamping results using the agreed waveform and fixture.
Assembly fit: check package dimensions, lead condition, polarity marking where applicable, and tape orientation against the assembly drawing.
Arrival condition: check damaged reels, bent leads, mixed batches and packaging integrity; retain labelled samples for comparison with quality inspection records.
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What goes wrong
A substitute can share the advertised voltage and package yet clamp differently under the intended surge. Comparing peak-power claims measured with different pulse waveforms can hide this mismatch. Agree the test conditions before accepting an alternative.
Mixed batches, unclear manufacturer identity and inconsistent markings make failures difficult to trace. Visual inspection cannot establish surge performance. Compare production samples with the approved sample and retain batch-linked test results.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on TVS diodes from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 0% for 8541 10 00 00, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Import VAT at 20% still applies.
Are business-to-business TVS components covered by hazardous-substances rules?
Official Great Britain guidance excludes component parts sold business to business from scope. Request exact-part material declarations to support your customer's review of the finished equipment.
Can I substitute a diode with the same voltage rating?
Compare stand-off voltage, breakdown range, clamping at the stated current, pulse waveform, leakage, capacitance and package. Approve the substitute against your circuit requirements.
What should I ask the Chinese supplier for?
Ask for the exact manufacturer and part designation, datasheet, batch-linked electrical results, material declarations and packaging specification. Match these to production samples.