Sourcing X-ray tubes from China

Zero duty on X-ray tubes

Heading 9022 covers X-ray apparatus, tubes and related equipment. X-ray tubes have their own commodity code, 9022 30 00 00. The table shows different applications of that same tariff line. For complete machines and other components, see our X-ray equipment guide.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, X-ray tubes from China carried 0% duty. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for this line. Import VAT is normally 20%; see import duty and VAT.

Describe exactly what is supplied: a tube, a housed tube assembly or a complete generator. Give your customs broker the specification and assembly drawing, and confirm the commodity code before shipment.

Specify the tube and its host equipment

Identify the host machine, original tube model and intended application. Specify the anode type, focal spot, operating voltage and current, exposure duty, heat capacity and cooling arrangement. Agree mounting dimensions, connector layout and beam orientation. State whether the order includes the housing, insulating oil, cables or cooling components.

For medical replacements, official guidance recommends buying parts from the equipment manufacturer or to the same specification. Establish whether the supplied product is itself a medical device before choosing its compliance route. Ask for model-specific drawings, test records and installation instructions, with compatibility reviewed through testing and certification.

Employers using X-ray generators should confirm with HSE whether the intended practice, including industrial radiography, requires registration or consent. High-risk work practices require HSE consent. Also confirm the applicable radiation risk assessment and radiation protection advice requirements with HSE. Agree who will install the replacement and assess the completed system before operational acceptance.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Four replacement X-ray tubes for industrial inspection; illustrative order under 9022 30 00 00, invoiced at £10,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £10,900, so it is £2,180. 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: match the tube model, serial identification, condition and supplied accessories to the purchase order and factory test record.

Interfaces: compare mounting points, connectors, cooling connections and beam orientation with the approved drawing and host equipment.

Condition: check protective packing, cracked insulators, damaged terminals and, where supplied, housing damage or oil leakage. Photograph defects before installation.

Performance: have the installation specialist review the individual tube test record and check output and image quality against the agreed specification after installation. Agree the scope through quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A replacement can fit mechanically yet mismatch the generator, cooling system or exposure duty. Avoid accepting a supplier's compatibility claim based only on the machine name. Require a comparison with the original tube specification and written approval of any differences.

Transport damage, incomplete test records and unclear installation support can leave a tube unusable on arrival. Agree protective packing, defect evidence and responsibility for replacement before shipment. Include the installed system's shielding, interlocks and warning signals in the acceptance review.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For components and parts, see sourcing for manufacturers.