A practical guide to importing electronics from China to the EU — CE marking under RED, customs duty rates, VAT on import, and CBAM considerations.
Importing electronics from China to the EU means navigating three separate compliance layers: CE marking (mandatory for market access), EU customs duties (0–14% depending on HS code, significantly lower than US Section 301 tariffs), and import VAT (19–27% depending on country, reclaimable by VAT-registered businesses). The technical compliance burden is higher than in the US, but the tariff burden is substantially lower. Understanding each layer separately is how you avoid being blindsided by the one you didn't prepare for.
This guide covers what each layer actually requires and what the practical steps look like for an electronics importer dealing with Chinese suppliers. For a broader look at the full sourcing process — finding suppliers, qualifying factories, and managing production — see our sourcing guide.
CE marking — what it actually requires for electronics
CE is not a quality mark. It's a mandatory conformity declaration that you, as the importer placing goods on the EU market, are legally responsible for. If you buy from a Chinese supplier and sell into any EU member state, CE responsibility sits with you — not the factory.
