Sourcing watch movements from China
Complete, assembled watch movements from China, quartz movements with hands or digital display and mechanical and automatic movements, pay 0% UK duty on all five lines of heading 9108, with no anti-dumping duty. Watch microbrands and repairers check accuracy, amplitude, power reserve, dimensions and hand sizes, and battery details for quartz calibres.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 9108 covers watch movements, complete and assembled, split into battery-powered movements by display type, automatic-winding movements and others. All five lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Watch cases are covered in our watch cases guide and complete watches in our watches guide; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery-powered, mechanical display only | 9108 11 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Battery-powered, opto-electronic display only | 9108 12 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other battery-powered movements | 9108 19 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Movements with automatic winding | 9108 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other watch movements | 9108 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specifying a movement
Specify the calibre, diameter and height, jewel count, frequency, power reserve, accuracy range and test positions, hand and stem sizes, date or complication position, and for quartz the battery type and life. Ask for the technical sheet and approve samples fitted in your case and dial before production.
Quartz watches sold in the UK carry batteries and fall under the batteries and WEEE producer rules; see our WEEE guide.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 500 automatic watch movements under 9108 20 00 00, invoiced at £25,000 free on board, with £200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £25,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £25,200, so it is £5,040. 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
Timing: check rate, amplitude and beat error on a timegrapher in several positions.
Fit: check stem height, hand fitting and dial feet against your case and dial.
Finish and packing: check decoration and that movements are packed in trays against shock and dust. 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 orders fail on timing, fit and consistency. Rate and amplitude vary widely between pieces, stem heights do not match the case, and a different grade is supplied than the sample.
Cambridge China Bridge sources components for UK watchmakers, clock makers and repairers from small lots; see small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on watch movements from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, watch movements under heading 9108 carried 0% from China.
Are automatic movements classified separately?
Yes. Movements with automatic winding are 9108 20 00 00.
How do I test mechanical movements?
Measure rate, amplitude and beat error on a timegrapher in several positions.
Do quartz watches need battery and WEEE compliance?
Yes. Watches with batteries sold in the UK fall under the batteries and WEEE producer rules.