China sourcing agent for university and research laboratories
Cambridge China Bridge sources laboratory and scientific instruments from Chinese manufacturers for UK university laboratories and research organisations. We can act as the institution's agent, so it stays importer of record, while we handle sourcing, inspection, freight, the customs entry and after-sales.
What you get
- Agent route: the institution stays importer of record and can keep HMRC's scientific instruments relief, with no customs duty or import VAT, where the instrument and its non-commercial research or education use qualify.
- On the agent route, VAT applies to our fee, not to the value of the goods.
- Sourcing, inspection, freight, the customs entry and after-sales handled by one UK company.
- Specifications, documents and test reports agreed before the order, so the department can compare them with its current supplier.
- Itemised quotes, so the department sees the manufacturer's price and our fee separately.
Cambridge China Bridge in brief
- Buying from Chinese factories since 2021, for our own businesses and for clients on the same terms.
- Our own staff are based in China, at two bases: the Pearl River Delta (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan) and the Yangtze River Delta (Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu). They visit factories themselves.
- £0 sourcing fee, commission or retainer on goods orders. Supplier checks are included; audits and inspections are usually included in the quote, with third-party checks charged extra.
- No minimum order on our side, from a single-unit trial to full containers; the factory's own minimum applies separately.
- In one project, a UK EV charging operator cut unit cost by 70% and scaled 3× faster. In another, a multi-site Cambridge café chain saved 50% on packaging.
- Free landed-price comparison within 72 hours for an off-the-shelf product. A reference call with a past client can be arranged, with that client's agreement.
- A UK company in Cambridge and London: Cambridge China Bridge is the trading name of Piggy Pineapple Ltd, company number 14385590.
How it works
- Send the instrument specification, quantity and the department's delivery address.
- We match it to manufacturers and return itemised quotes.
- The department confirms the specification and documents it needs.
- The instrument is inspected before it ships.
- We handle freight and the customs entry, with the institution as importer.
Questions buyers ask
Can the university keep duty relief if you source the instrument?
Yes, on the agent route. The university stays importer of record and can claim scientific instruments relief where the instrument and its use qualify, while we handle the sourcing, freight and customs entry.
What is the difference between the agent route and a resale?
On the agent route, the institution imports and VAT applies to our fee. If we resell instead, the sale carries 20% VAT unless it qualifies for zero-rating under VAT Notice 701/6.
Can you handle after-sales support?
Yes. After-sales is part of what we manage with the manufacturer, agreed with the order.