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United Kingdom Import Duty Rate for Smartphones & Mobile Phones

HS 8517.12 · Telephones for cellular networks

United Kingdom MFN Import Duty Rate

Live

on CIF value

UK Global Tariff mirrors EU ITA commitment.

How duty is calculated

CIF value

Product cost + international freight + insurance

Import duty (0%)

Applied to CIF value. EU, UK, and most countries use CIF.

VAT (20%)

Applied to CIF value + duty. Collected at customs.

Use our Landed Cost Calculator to compute the full cost including freight, brokerage, and last-mile delivery.

Worked example: smartphones & mobile phones worth US$10,000

A commercial shipment invoiced at US$10,000 with US$900 of international freight and insurance. United Kingdom charges duty on the CIF value (goods + freight + insurance), so the duty base is US$10,900. Customs converts the amount to GBP at the official exchange rate on the day of import.

Charge	At 0%
Import duty	$0
VAT (20%)	$2,180
Total paid at the border	$2,180

VAT is usually recoverable for a registered business, so the cost that stays with you is the duty. Excise, anti-dumping duties and broker fees are not included.

Classifying smartphones & mobile phones correctly

Heading 8517 covers telephones for cellular networks (8517.13 for smartphones since HS 2022, 8517.14 for other mobile phones) and base stations and network equipment in 8517.6x.

Smartwatches with a SIM are classified as 8517.62, not as phones
Phone cases go to their material chapter (3926 plastic, 4202 leather) and chargers to 8504.40
Refurbished phones take the same code as new ones but may face different valuation rules

Compliance. Radio equipment needs type approval in most markets — CE/RED in the EU, FCC ID in the US, UKCA in Great Britain, IMDA in Singapore — and lithium batteries inside must be shipped under UN3481 rules.

Importing into United Kingdom: what you need

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) collects duty and import VAT through the Customs Declaration Service (CDS); rates come from the UK Global Tariff.

Registration. A GB EORI number. Non-UK sellers usually appoint a UK customs agent or use a carrier's DDP service.

Low-value shipments. Customs duty is waived when a consignment is worth £135 or less, but 20% VAT applies from £0 — for parcels up to £135 the seller or online marketplace charges UK VAT at checkout.

Documents customs will ask for

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Transport document
Statement on origin to claim 0% under the UK–EU TCA or another UK trade agreement
Licences for controlled goods (e.g. some steel, chemicals)

Charges on top of duty

Import VAT 20% (5% or 0% for some goods) — VAT-registered businesses can use postponed VAT accounting
Excise on alcohol, tobacco and fuel
Trade remedies and anti-dumping duties from the Trade Remedies Authority

Watch out. Since Brexit, EU-made goods still need a statement on origin to enter duty-free; without it the full UK Global Tariff rate applies.

Frequently asked questions

What is the import duty rate for Smartphones & Mobile Phones in United Kingdom?

The MFN (Most Favoured Nation) import duty rate for Smartphones & Mobile Phones (HS 8517.12) in United Kingdom is 0% on the CIF value. UK Global Tariff mirrors EU ITA commitment.

Is VAT charged on Smartphones & Mobile Phones imports to United Kingdom?

Yes. United Kingdom charges VAT at 20% on the CIF value plus any import duty. This applies to virtually all commercial imports.

Are there FTA rates available for Smartphones & Mobile Phones in United Kingdom?

United Kingdom has free trade agreements with UK–EU TCA, UK–Japan CEPA, CPTPP, UK–Australia FTA, UK–New Zealand FTA. Check whether your origin country qualifies for a preferential rate on HS 8517.12.

How is import duty calculated for Smartphones & Mobile Phones entering United Kingdom?

Duty is calculated on the CIF value of the goods. CIF value includes the product cost, international freight, and insurance. The MFN duty of 0% is applied to this value. VAT (20%) is then applied on the duty-paid value.