Sourcing Warehouse Reach Trucks from China
Warehouse reach trucks from China carry 4% ordinary UK duty. Check the exclusion from the boom-lift trade remedy before declaring the goods. New trucks supplied in Great Britain need CE or UKCA marking, a declaration of conformity and English instructions. Cambridge China Bridge sources warehouse reach trucks.
Reach-truck classification and UK duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 8427 covers fork-lift trucks and other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment. Electric reach trucks lifting to 1 m or more fit the other electric truck line, 8427 10 10 90, subject to confirmation of the specification. The table shows configurations sharing that line. For the wider family, see electric forklifts.
The supplied line carries 4% ordinary duty and a 71.74% residual provisional anti-dumping measure, with no suspension listed. The reference guide identifies this as the boom-lift case and says goods outside its description use an exclusion code at 0%. Have the broker confirm that exclusion for the reach truck. The tariff also attaches anti-dumping or countervailing registration, fluorinated greenhouse gas import control, and waste import and export controls.
For a China shipment, give the broker the model specification, any refrigerant details and the condition of used trucks. Confirm the tariff controls and declaration requirements with the broker before shipment; their attachment does not establish that every truck is affected. Check the commodity code before ordering.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric seated warehouse reach trucks | 8427 10 10 90 | 4% | 71.74% residual anti-dumping (provisional) |
Specify capacity at your rack height
Specify the pallet dimensions, load centre, required lift height and remaining capacity at that height. Ask for the load chart for the actual mast, battery and attachments. Give the factory the clear aisle width, rack layout, floor condition and overhead clearance, including the mast height when lowered.
Agree seated or stand-on operation, fork dimensions, reach travel, side shift, battery chemistry, charger supply and connector. For cold-store use, define the operating environment and transitions into warmer areas. New machinery supplied in Great Britain must have CE or UKCA marking, a declaration of conformity and instructions in English.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative warehouse reach-truck order under 8427 10 10 90, invoiced at £10,000 free on board, with £1,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £11,000. Duty at 4% is £440. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £11,440, so it is £2,288. Import taxes total £2,728; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £440 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Mast and reach: check fork alignment, chain condition, rollers, hose routing and smooth reach movement. Have a competent tester verify lifting and load holding against the agreed acceptance procedure.
Warehouse fit: check the delivered truck against the aisle layout, pallet openings and overhead clearance. Confirm the load chart matches the fitted mast and attachments.
Battery and controls: check battery restraint, charger compatibility, connectors, steering, brakes, emergency stop and operator-presence functions against the manual.
Arrival condition: inspect forks, mast, wheels and battery for transport damage. Match the serial number, declaration, load chart and English manual to the delivered truck. Plan quality inspection before dispatch as well.
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What goes wrong
A truck's headline capacity can conceal insufficient capacity at the top rack with the ordered attachment. A mast that lifts high enough may still be too tall when lowered, or the truck may need more turning space than the aisle allows. Resolve these points with the configured load chart and layout before accepting the order.
Other problems include a charger that does not match the site supply, inaccessible replacement controllers, damaged mast rollers and hydraulic drift. Agree the arrival test, spare-parts identification and fault-reporting procedure with the supplier. A conformity mark alone does not replace checking the machine and its documents.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For machinery and equipment, see machinery imports.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on warehouse reach trucks from China?
The supplied electric reach-truck line carries 4% ordinary duty. A 71.74% provisional residual measure is attached; confirm the boom-lift case exclusion rather than assuming it applies to a reach truck.
What documents should a new reach truck have?
New machinery supplied in Great Britain needs CE or UKCA marking, a declaration of conformity and instructions in English. Match the documents to the delivered model and configuration.
How do I check a reach truck will fit my warehouse?
Compare aisle clearance, pallet openings, lowered mast height and reach travel with your layout. Check remaining lifting capacity at the required rack height with the ordered attachments.
Can I buy a used reach truck from China?
Confirm its condition and documentation before ordering. The tariff attaches waste controls, so ask your broker to confirm the applicable requirements before treating damaged or non-working trucks as reusable equipment.