1. Your category in United Kingdom
Pick your category and this section shows what we actually hold for United Kingdom: how many potential buyers we have verified, what roles they play in the supply chain, and how well they fit. Switch back to All industries at any time.
“Potential buyers” means the buyers we have verified and listed in our own directory — not every importer in the country. Buyer roles are our own grouping of the roles recorded in that directory. (56 of these records do not yet carry a recorded buyer role.)
2. Entry gate
The first gate an exporter has to clear. The UK is now a separate regulatory territory from the EU, but the two regimes have been kept deliberately close: for most electrical and electronic products, CE marking is accepted indefinitely in Great Britain, so the practical gate is the UK-specific registrations behind the mark, not a second certification programme.
| Requirement | Status | What it involves | Lead time | Cost | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product marking (CE or UKCA) | Mandatory | For most product categories — including electrical, electronic and radio equipment — CE marking is accepted indefinitely in Great Britain, and UKCA is a voluntary alternative. Where UKCA is used, it must be applied to the UK's own designated standards. Note: Northern Ireland follows a different route under the Windsor Framework and generally uses CE | 0 weeks if CE already held | Pending | Pending |
| Electrical safety & EMC | Mandatory | Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 and the EMC Regulations 2016 mirror the EU directives; the UK plug standard BS 1363 applies to mains plugs supplied with the product | Included in CE/UKCA work | Pending | Pending |
| UK responsible person | Required for non-UK sellers | Several UK regulations require a manufacturer established outside the UK to appoint a UK responsible person to hold the declaration of conformity and act as the point of contact for the authorities | 1–2 weeks | Pending | Pending |
| UK WEEE registration | Mandatory | Producers of electrical and electronic equipment must register with a UK approved producer compliance scheme before placing product on the market | 2–6 weeks | Pending | Pending |
| Packaging EPR | Mandatory | Extended producer responsibility for packaging requires registration and reporting; the obligation has been phased in and covers shipping packaging | Pending | Pending | Pending |
| Tariff (UK Global Tariff) | Always applies | Average applied MFN tariff around 1.13% (2022, weighted mean). The UK Global Tariff applies independently of the EU; confirm the rate for your HS code in the UK Trade Tariff | — | On customs value | Pending |
| VAT | Always applies | 20% standard rate on imports, charged on CIF plus duty. A VAT-registered importer can normally recover it; overseas sellers may also need to register for UK VAT if they sell directly to consumers | — | 20% | 2026-10 |
Certification, tariff and clearance figures change. Every row above carries a verification date, and the current requirement is confirmed with your nominated local agent before each shipment.
3. Buyers and channel partners
Leading buyers and channel partners
Every company below is a real business in United Kingdom taken from our own buyer research, and we have verified that its website is reachable. Names and business types are public; decision-makers, direct emails and phone numbers are reserved for members of the Buyer Directory.
How to use this list: do not mass-mail. UK distribution is concentrated in a small number of national wholesalers, so one good relationship can reach the whole market — but those wholesalers demand full UK compliance evidence before listing.
4. Demand and import profile
Select your HS code and this block shows the import performance of your own category in the United Kingdom — not the country's macro numbers.
Import size & growth
Example: the UK imports a large and steady volume of static converters, driven by building services, data centres and the domestic solar and storage market.
Example values · to be replaced with OEC / WITS data for your HS line
Source-country mix
Example: China, Germany, the Netherlands, the US and Italy lead the source list, with EU-origin goods now subject to UK customs formalities.
Example values · to be replaced with OEC / WITS data for your HS line
Price band
Example: the UK market spans a wide price range, with a strong premium segment for branded and warranty-backed product and a large trade segment below it.
Example values · to be replaced with customs / trade data
What we can supply to this market
These are the lines we have found the strongest fit for the United Kingdom. Specifications are on the product pages; tell us your application and we will confirm the model.
5. Landed-cost calculator
A static table cannot persuade anyone. Enter your own numbers and see the landed cost. Duty rate and freight are editable so you can test scenarios.
Your shipment
Estimated landed cost
Illustrative calculation only. It excludes anti-dumping duty, excise, port storage and any category-specific surcharge. Confirm the duty rate and local charges with your forwarder before making a commitment.
6. Logistics and customs
Clearance-day figures change with congestion and policy; treat as indicative and confirm before quoting.
7. Payment, currency and tax
8. Localisation and communication
These are the details nobody tells you, and one mistake can cost you a customer.
9. Risks and timing
Frequently asked questions
Do I need UKCA marking to sell in the UK?
For most product categories, no. CE marking is accepted indefinitely in Great Britain, so a product already compliant for the EU does not need a second marking regime. UKCA remains available as a voluntary alternative. Northern Ireland follows a different route under the Windsor Framework and generally uses CE.
What UK-specific obligations apply beyond the mark?
A UK responsible person for a manufacturer established outside the UK, UK WEEE producer registration, and packaging extended producer responsibility registration. These are registrations, not re-certification.
What is the import duty on my product?
The average applied MFN rate is around 1.13%, but the rate depends on the HS line — check the UK Trade Tariff. The UK Global Tariff applies independently of the EU's.
How much is VAT on imports?
20% standard rate, charged on the CIF value plus duty. A VAT-registered importer can normally recover it. Sellers selling directly to UK consumers may also need to register for UK VAT.
What payment terms are normal?
Open account with 30–60 day terms is standard for established buyers, with T/T or a deposit on first orders. Invoice in GBP or USD.
Which port should I ship to?
Felixstowe is the largest container gateway, with Southampton, London Gateway and Liverpool as alternatives. Tell us the final destination and we will quote to the right port.