Sourcing Type 2 EV connectors and inlets from China
Type 2 plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors and inlets bought from China for charger or cable assembly usually fall under 8536 69 90 99, plugs and sockets for not more than 1000V, at 2% UK duty with no anti-dumping duty on the tariff checked on 26 October 2026. Buy on IEC 62196 test reports for the exact part number and current rating.
Products and search terms
Type 2 connector, Type 2 socket outlet, EV vehicle inlet, charging gun, EV plug, IEC 62196 connector
Who buys connectors loose, and what to specify
UK charger assemblers, cable makers, fleet workshops and vehicle converters buy Type 2 connectors and inlets as components. Specify the part: plug, socket-outlet (with or without shutter), vehicle connector or vehicle inlet; single-phase or three-phase; rated current; the pin and signal contacts; cable entry size; locking method; and the ingress rating needed in use.
IEC 62196-1 sets the general requirements for EV plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors and inlets; the Type 2 dimensions sit in IEC 62196-2. Ask for the test report and certificate numbers by part number. One factory often sells several grades under similar names, and the tested grade may not be the one quoted.
Compatibility is the main commercial risk
A connector that is a fraction out of dimension may still fit a gauge in the factory and then bind, overheat or fail to lock on some vehicles. Ask for the dimensional report against the standard drawing and buy a sample set to try on the vehicles and wallboxes your customers use before you approve the part.
Agree the contact material and plating, the temperature-rise test result at the rated current, and the mechanical endurance (insertion cycles) stated in the report. Write those figures into the approved specification so that a cheaper contact cannot replace the tested one without your consent. Our component approval guide covers the sign-off.
Duty on connectors and inlets
Plugs and sockets for a voltage not over 1000V are classified in 8536 69. The UK Trade Tariff API, read on 26 October 2026, shows the rate below and no anti-dumping measure on China. The suspensions on this line cover named items only, such as SCART connectors and small hearing-aid plugs, not EV connectors.
A connector already fitted to a cable is part of a cable assembly and is classified with it; see sourcing Type 2 charging cables.
| Goods | Commodity code | Third-country duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plugs and sockets, voltage not over 1000V (other) | 8536699099 | 2% | None shown |
Incoming inspection for component buyers
Check part numbers and markings against the approved list, dimensions on a sample from each lot, contact plating, locking action, seals, and the lot numbers against the test report. Keep retained samples from each lot so that a field failure can be traced.
If the connectors go into equipment you sell, your finished product needs its own conformity evidence; see CE and UKCA marking. Cambridge China Bridge can check the factory and run the lot inspection; for drawing-based parts see our manufacturers service.
Frequently asked questions
Does a CE mark on a connector make our charger compliant?
No. Component markings help, but the finished charger or cable you sell needs its own conformity assessment and technical file.
Which standard defines the Type 2 shape?
The dimensional sheets for Type 2 are in IEC 62196-2, and the general requirements are in IEC 62196-1. Ask for test reports against both for the exact part number.
Is the duty different for vehicle inlets?
Inlets, plugs and sockets for not more than 1000V are usually all classified in 8536 69. Confirm the code for each part with your customs agent.