Sourcing piston water meters from China
Volumetric piston water meters and their parts from China carry 0% UK duty, with no listed trade remedies. Meters for regulated uses need conformity assessment and conformity and metrology markings before sale. Match the evidence to the model and intended use. Cambridge China Bridge sources volumetric piston water meters.
Zero duty on piston water meters
Heading 9028 covers gas, liquid and electricity supply or production meters, including calibrating meters. Complete volumetric piston water meters fall within liquid meters, code 9028 20 00 00. Dry, wet and sealed register descriptions in the table are product variants sharing that code, rather than separate tariff lines.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, liquid meters and other meter parts and accessories carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines.
Confirm the commodity code against the complete meter or separately supplied part. For the wider heading context and a comparison with another mechanical water-meter family, see mechanical multi-jet water meters.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volumetric piston water meters with dry registers | 9028 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Parts and accessories for volumetric piston water meters | 9028 90 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the piston chamber and installation
State whether the meter will measure drinking-water supply for billing or serve another purpose. Ask the relevant metrology authority to confirm whether the intended use falls under the Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016 and which conformity assessment and conformity and metrology markings apply before placing the meter on the market. Ask for the applicable assessment route and certificate, matched to the exact model.
Specify connection threads, body length, installation orientation, flow direction, pressure and temperature range, accuracy class and register arrangement. Agree the piston and chamber materials, inlet strainer, seals and spare-part compatibility. For drinking-water contact, ask the relevant water authority to confirm the applicable wetted-material requirements, including whether the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 apply.
Ask for sampled accuracy results at minimum, transitional, permanent and overload flow rates on a calibrated bench. Set contractual acceptance criteria for leakage, pressure loss, starting behaviour and register readability before approving the production sample.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 5,000 volumetric piston water meters, illustrative order under 9028 20 00 00, invoiced at £45,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £47,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £47,000, so it is £9,400. 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 and evidence: match the model, serial numbers, applicable conformity and metrology markings, and certificate to the approved sample. For regulated meters, check the importer’s name or trade mark and postal address on the instrument.
Piston and accuracy: inspect sampled chambers for debris, damage and sticking. Compare low-flow starting behaviour and accuracy across the agreed flow points with the approved test results.
Connections and leakage: check threads, body length, flow arrows and supplied washers against the installation drawing. Test the body and joints under the agreed pressure conditions.
Register and seals: check reading clarity, counting direction and tamper seals. Use the inspection guide to record findings against the purchase specification.
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What goes wrong
Watch for a piston that sticks after assembly, debris in the chamber, leakage at connections and readings outside the agreed accuracy class at low flow. A clear display does not establish measurement accuracy. Compare arrival samples with the approved sample and investigate differences in chamber finish, seals and materials.
Another failure is paperwork for a different model or chamber material. Conformity markings alone do not establish that the supplied model has the required evidence. Match certificates to the delivered construction, and confirm drinking-water material evidence before accepting substitutions.
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 piston water meters from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 0% duty for liquid meters under 9028 20 00 00 and other meter parts under 9028 90 90 00, with no listed trade remedies.
Do volumetric piston water meters need conformity assessment?
Ask the relevant metrology authority to confirm whether the intended use falls under the Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016 and which conformity assessment and conformity and metrology marking requirements apply. Match the certificate to the model and intended use.
What should I specify before ordering piston water meters?
Specify installation orientation, threads, body length, flow range, accuracy class, pressure and temperature range, register arrangement, wetted materials and spare-part compatibility.
How do I check piston water meters on arrival?
Match models and evidence, inspect chambers and seals, check connections and leakage, and sample-test accuracy on a calibrated bench, including low-flow starting behaviour.