Sourcing Wi-Fi access points from China
The relevant Wi-Fi access-point and parts lines carry 0% UK duty for goods from China. Before sale in Great Britain, importers must check radio conformity assessment, documentation and marking. Match the evidence to the supplied hardware and firmware. Cambridge China Bridge sources Wi-Fi access points.
Duty on Wi-Fi access points and their parts
Heading 8517 covers apparatus transmitting or receiving voice, images or other data over wired or wireless networks. For access points that receive, convert and transmit data, 8517 62 00 00 is the line to investigate. Indoor and outdoor versions share that tariff description, so the table repeats the code. Separately imported aerials and other parts require their own classification.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, the displayed lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff reading lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control on these lines. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT. Duty-free entry does not replace product compliance checks.
Give your customs broker the equipment's functions, interfaces and details of any separately supplied parts. Confirm the declaration through finding your commodity code. The electronics sourcing guide covers the wider product category.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor Wi-Fi access points receiving, converting and transmitting data | 8517 62 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Separately imported aerials and aerial parts for access points | 8517 71 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other separately imported communication apparatus parts | 8517 79 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the radio, power supply and management system
Specify supported frequency bands, intended installation environment, antenna arrangement, Ethernet interfaces and power method. Identify the exact switch or injector used for power over Ethernet. Agree whether management is local, through a controller or through a cloud account, and record any licence dependency, firmware update process and configuration export facility.
For sale in Great Britain, the importer must ensure the manufacturer has completed conformity assessment and drawn up technical documentation and a Declaration of Conformity, and that the equipment carries the relevant marking. Request evidence matching the supplied model, antennas and firmware. Obtain hazardous-substance compliance evidence for the equipment as well.
For models supplied as relevant consumer connectable products, security obligations include a statement of compliance, password safeguards, a security-reporting route and published minimum security update periods. Confirm the intended sales channel before ordering. If importing for resale, arrange annual electrical-equipment producer registration.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order only: 63 managed Wi-Fi access points; FOB and freight in whole pounds under 8517 62 00 00, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £12,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,600, so it is £2,520. 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 documents: compare model labels, hardware revision, antenna configuration and firmware with the approved sample and compliance documents; check the relevant conformity marking.
Network operation: test wired throughput and wireless connections using the intended clients, switch and controller; check roaming, guest-network separation and recovery after a power interruption.
Power and installation: run the agreed power method under load; inspect connectors, mounting brackets, enclosure seals and cable entries against the agreed specification.
Management and security: check administrator access, password setup, update installation, configuration backup and factory reset. Use quality inspection to agree the acceptance checks.
What goes wrong
A sample can connect successfully while the delivered batch has different firmware, a substituted radio module or an incompatible power arrangement. A controller-dependent model may also arrive without usable account access. Record the approved configuration and test the delivered equipment with the buyer's actual network.
Outdoor failures can arise from poorly fitted seals or cable entries; intermittent indoor faults can appear under sustained traffic or after power loss. Do not accept a generic test report as proof for a changed model. Resolve hardware substitutions, firmware support and replacement handling in the order specification.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on Wi-Fi access points from China?
The supplied tariff reading gives 0% for 8517 62 00 00 and the listed aerial and parts lines, with no trade remedies. Confirm the code for your model. Import VAT is normally 20%.
What documents should I request before selling access points in Great Britain?
Request the Declaration of Conformity and matching technical documentation. The importer must check the manufacturer's conformity assessment and the equipment's relevant marking.
Do consumer security rules apply to Wi-Fi access points?
They apply where the model is a relevant consumer connectable product. Check scope and obtain the statement of compliance, password safeguards, security-reporting details and published update period.
How do I check an access point works with my network?
Test the approved sample with your switch, power source, controller and client devices. Check roaming, guest separation, sustained traffic, updates and recovery after power loss.