Sourcing watch movement kits from China
Complete watch or clock movements unassembled or partly assembled (movement sets), incomplete movements assembled, and rough movements from China pay 0% UK duty on all seven lines of heading 9110, with no anti-dumping duty. Watchmakers, training schools and microbrands check parts completeness, tolerances, finishing and how the kit will be assembled and regulated.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 9110 covers complete watch or clock movements, unassembled or partly assembled (movement sets), incomplete watch or clock movements, assembled, and rough watch or clock movements, with lines for watches and for other movements. All seven lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Assembled movements are covered in our watch movements guide and clock movements guide, and separate parts in our clock and watch parts guide; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watch movement sets with balance wheel and hairspring | 9110 11 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other watch movement sets | 9110 11 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Incomplete watch movements, assembled, for certain aircraft systems | 9110 12 00 10 | 0% | None |
| Other incomplete watch movements, assembled | 9110 12 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Rough watch movements | 9110 19 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other movements (clocks), for certain aircraft systems | 9110 90 00 10 | 0% | None |
| Other movements (clocks) | 9110 90 00 90 | 0% | None |
Specifying movement kits
Specify the calibre, whether the kit is complete or which parts are missing, the balance and hairspring, jewel count, finishing and decoration, spare parts, and the technical documents for assembly and regulation. For training kits, ask for assembly instructions and spare screws and springs.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 200 mechanical watch movement training kits under 9110 11 10 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £150 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,150. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,150, so it is £1,230. 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
Completeness: count parts against the parts list for sample kits.
Quality: inspect finishing and burrs under magnification.
Function: assemble and time a sample movement. 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
Movement kit orders fail on completeness and quality. Kits arrive missing parts, parts have burrs or poor finishing, and assembled samples do not run to specification.
Cambridge China Bridge helps UK watchmakers and training providers source movement kits and parts from small lots; see small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on watch movement kits from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, movement sets and rough movements under heading 9110 carried 0% from China.
What is a rough movement?
A movement without its escapement and regulating parts, supplied for finishing and assembly.
Are assembled movements in heading 9110?
Complete assembled movements are headings 9108 and 9109; 9110 is for sets, incomplete and rough movements.
What should a training kit include?
All parts on the list, assembly instructions and spare screws and springs.