Sourcing vehicle and dashboard clocks from China
Instrument panel clocks and similar clocks for vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft and vessels from China, such as classic car dashboard clocks and marine bulkhead clocks, pay 0% UK duty on both lines of heading 9104, with no anti-dumping duty. Clocks for civil aircraft have their own line and need separate approval. Buyers check voltage, vibration, lighting, sealing and fit.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 October 2026, heading 9104 covers instrument panel clocks and clocks of a similar type for vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft or vessels. Both lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Desk and small clocks with watch movements are covered in our desk and travel clocks guide, and wall clocks in our wall clocks guide; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instrument panel clocks for use in civil aircraft | 9104 00 00 10 | 0% | None |
| Other instrument panel clocks for vehicles, spacecraft or vessels | 9104 00 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specifying a panel clock
Specify the supply voltage (6, 12 or 24 volts, or battery), mounting and cut-out size, bezel and dial design, illumination and its colour, sealing rating for marine use, vibration and temperature range, and the connector. Electrical parts for vehicles may need electromagnetic compatibility evidence; ask what the supplier can provide.
Clocks for installation in civil aircraft need approval under aviation rules that are outside a normal sourcing order, so treat those as a separate project.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 1,000 marine bulkhead clocks for boat builders under 9104 00 00 90, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £12,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,500, so it is £2,500. 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
Function: power samples at the rated voltage and check timekeeping and illumination.
Durability: check sealing and, for vehicle use, run a vibration test on samples.
Fit and finish: check cut-out dimensions, bezel finish and dial printing. See our quality inspection guide.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
Panel clock orders fail on voltage, sealing and fit. Clocks built for 12 volts are sent for 24-volt systems, marine clocks fog because the seal fails, and cut-out sizes differ from the drawing.
Cambridge China Bridge sources parts for UK vehicle restorers and boat builders from small runs; see small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on dashboard clocks from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 October 2026, instrument panel clocks under heading 9104 carried 0% from China.
Are marine bulkhead clocks in heading 9104?
Clocks of the instrument panel type for vessels are; confirm the code from the product and mounting.
Can I import aircraft clocks the same way?
The duty line exists, but clocks for installation in civil aircraft need aviation approval, which is a separate process.
What should I test on vehicle clocks?
Operation at the rated voltage, illumination, sealing and vibration resistance.