Sourcing vehicle number-plate lamps from China
Ordinary vehicle number-plate lamps and their parts from China carry 2% UK duty, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. The MOT manual requires rear plate illumination and operation alongside position lamps. Cambridge China Bridge sources vehicle number-plate lamps.
UK duty on vehicle number-plate lamps
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 8512 covers vehicle lighting and signalling equipment alongside other vehicle electrical equipment. Ordinary complete number-plate lamps fall within 8512 20 00 90; relevant lamp parts fall within 8512 90 90 00. The complete-lamp rows show different applications sharing the same code. Separate bulbs and LED light sources are classified elsewhere.
The ordinary duty for these goods from China is 2%. Neither selected code lists anti-dumping or countervailing duty or an attached import control. The complete-lamp code has narrowly described 0.00 % suspensions, including an authorised-use suspension for a specified fog lamp. Do not assume a number-plate lamp qualifies; ask your customs broker to check the full product description and suspension conditions. The parts code has no listed suspension.
Confirm the commodity code using the assembly drawing, photographs and details of whether the shipment contains complete lamps, dedicated parts or separate light sources. See the vehicle lights and horns guide for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete car number-plate lamps | 8512 20 00 90 | 2% | None |
| Number-plate lamp parts, excluding separate light sources | 8512 90 90 00 | 2% | None |
Specify plate coverage and vehicle fit
Give the factory the target vehicle models, mounting aperture, fixing arrangement, connector drawing, polarity and operating voltage range. Specify white illumination, the installed angle and coverage across the plate, rather than judging brightness with the lamp loose on a bench. Agree whether the assembly includes the gasket, cable, connector and mounting hardware.
For cars and passenger vehicles covered by the MOT manual, registration plate lamps must illuminate the rear plate and operate at the same time as position lamps. Confirm applicable UK product safety requirements with the relevant authority. Request approval evidence for the proposed road-use lamp and match any approval mark to the supplied model. Ask for electromagnetic compatibility test reports and test a sample on the target vehicle.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 1,000 complete number-plate lamps under 8512 20 00 90, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £860 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,860. Duty at 2% is £77.20. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,937.20, so it is £787.44. Import taxes total £864.64; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £77.20 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: compare mounting clips, screw positions, connector keying, polarity and cable length with the approved sample; trial-fit the lamp without forcing the housing.
Illumination: check the installed lamp lights the plate across its width, without dark patches; confirm it operates with the position lamps and check for flicker or vehicle fault warnings.
Sealing: inspect the gasket, lens joint and cable entry; run the agreed water-exposure test and check for moisture inside afterwards.
Identity: match the supplied model and any approval marks to the supporting documents; check carton contents and record batch details during inspection.
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What goes wrong
A lamp can fit the aperture yet aim its light away from the plate. Reversed polarity or a different connector can leave it inoperative, while an incompatible LED assembly can trigger a bulb-failure warning. Compare the installed sample with the original assembly before approving production.
Poor lens joints and displaced gaskets let water reach the electronics. Brittle clips can break during fitting, and cable entries can leak despite a sealed-looking housing. Keep an approved sample and agree how the factory will check fit, illumination and sealing before dispatch.
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 number-plate lamps from China?
Ordinary complete lamps under 8512 20 00 90 and relevant parts under 8512 90 90 00 carry 2% duty. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is listed. Narrow suspensions on the complete-lamp code need separate checking.
Must number-plate lamps come on with the position lamps?
Yes. The MOT manual for cars and passenger vehicles requires registration plate lamps to operate at the same time as position lamps and illuminate the rear registration plate.
Can I use the same lamp on different vehicle models?
Check each application. Mounting clips, connector keying, polarity and installed angle can differ. Fit samples to the intended vehicles and check plate coverage and dashboard warnings.
Are replacement bulbs classified with complete number-plate lamps?
Separate bulbs and LED light sources are classified with light sources rather than complete vehicle lighting equipment. Confirm the code from the actual goods supplied.