Sourcing wheelchairs and mobility scooters from China
Wheelchairs and other carriages for disabled persons from China, manual or powered, including mobility scooters, pay 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. They are medical devices needing UKCA or CE marking and MHRA registration, class 3 road scooters must be registered with the DVLA, and supplies to disabled people for personal use can be zero-rated for VAT. Cambridge China Bridge sources them.
Manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters pay 0% UK duty from China. Medical device rules, road classes and VAT relief explained.
Zero duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, carriages for disabled persons not mechanically propelled, such as manual wheelchairs, and other carriages, including motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters, carried 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Parts and accessories are in heading 8714; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not mechanically propelled, such as manual wheelchairs | 8713 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other, including powered wheelchairs and scooters | 8713 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Medical device rules
Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are medical devices under the Medical Devices Regulations 2002, so they need UKCA or CE marking under the device rules, a UK Responsible Person where the maker is overseas, and MHRA registration; see medical products. Powered models also need battery, charger and EMC evidence.
Road use and VAT
The Use of Invalid Carriages on Highways Regulations 1988 set classes: class 2 for pavement use, and class 3 for road use up to 8 mph with lights and other equipment, which must be registered with the DVLA. Supplies of wheelchairs to a disabled person for their own use can be zero-rated for VAT under the disability relief, with an eligibility declaration.
Testing and service
Ask for test reports to the BS EN 12183 or BS EN 12184 standards, and agree spares, tyres and batteries, and a UK repair route. At inspection, check brakes, folding, welds and weight limits.
Cambridge China Bridge sources manual and powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters, with device registration, road class and service settled before the order. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on wheelchairs from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, manual and powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters of heading 8713 carried 0% duty from China.
Are wheelchairs medical devices?
Yes. They need UKCA or CE marking under the device rules and MHRA registration.
Do mobility scooters need registering?
Class 3 road scooters must be registered with the DVLA under the 1988 invalid carriage regulations; class 2 pavement scooters need not.
Is there VAT on wheelchairs?
Supplies to a disabled person for their own use can be zero-rated under the disability relief.