Subheading · Chapter 85 · Heading 8511

8511.50

8511.50: Electrical ignition or starting equipment of a kind used: other generators

Other vehicle generators (alternators)

Official description Other generators

8511.50 is the HS subheading for other vehicle generators (alternators), under heading 8511 in chapter 85.

What you pay

Importing into UK

Customs duty 2% · specific or compound duty standard rate · across 2 national lines depends on the country of origin
Additional duties and charges 4 additional measures Import requirements: 3
VAT 20.00 % import VAT
Duty calculatorCalculate duty and taxes →

Rates by national line · UK Global Tariff

UK lines →
  1. 8511 50 00 00 Other generators
  2. 8511 50 00 10 For use in civil aircraft
  3. 8511 50 00 90 Other 2%

Additional duties and import rules

Charges on top of the customs duty, and rules the goods must meet at the border.

Additional duties and charges 4

  • Additional dutyAdditional duties 35%
    Applies to goods from
    Belarus, Russia
    Legal act
    2022 No. 376
    Documents
    • 9008
  • Duty suspensionNon preferential duty under end-use Free
    Applies to goods from
    all countries
    Legal act
    S.I. 2020/1430
    Documents
    • N990 EUS - Authorisation for the use of end use procedure (Column 8c, Annex A of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446)
    Tariff lines
    on 1 of 2 lines
  • Duty suspensionAirworthiness tariff suspension Free
    Applies to goods from
    all countries
    Legal act
    S.I. 2018/1249
    Documents
    • C119 Authorised Release Certificate — EASA Form 1 (Appendix I to Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012), or equivalent certificate
  • Duty suspensionSuspension - goods for certain categories of ships, boats and other vessels and for drilling or production platforms Free
    Applies to goods from
    all countries
    Legal act
    2020 No. 1431
    Documents
    • C990 End use authorisation ships and platforms (Column 8c, Annex A of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446)
    Tariff lines
    on 1 of 2 lines

Import requirements 3

  • Prohibition or restrictionImport prohibition
    Applies to goods from
    North Korea
    Legal act
    S.I. 2019/411
  • Import controlRestriction on entry into free circulation
    Applies to goods from
    Russia, Ukraine
    Legal act
    2023 No. 440, S.I. 2022/395
    Documents
    • 9011
    • 9022
    • 9038
    • 9009
    • 9010
    • 9017
  • Import controlImport control on luxury goods
    Applies to goods from
    North Korea
    Legal act
    S.I. 2019/411
    Documents
    • Y945 Travellers' personal effects or goods of a non-commercial nature for travellers' personal use contained in their luggage (Art 10.2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1509)
    • Y946 Goods necessary for the official purposes of diplomatic or consular missions of Member States in the DPRK or international organisations enjoying immunities in accordance with international law, or to the personal effects of their staff (Art 10.3 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1509)
    • Y948 Goods other than those described in Annex VIII (Luxury goods) of Reg. (EU) 2017/1509

Preferential rates by country

Agreement or schemeCountriesRate
standard rate (no agreement)—2%
DCTS Comprehensive
Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin and 38 more

Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo - Kinshasa, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé & Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia

Free
European Union (including code " EU")
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia and 23 more

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden

Free
DCTS Enhanced
Algeria, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Congo - Brazzaville and 13 more

Algeria, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Congo - Brazzaville, Cook Islands, Kyrgyzstan, Micronesia, Mongolia, Nigeria, Niue, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu

Free
CARIFORUM
Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize and 10 more

Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago

Free
OCTs (Overseas Countries and Territories)
Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands and 7 more

Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands, St Helena, Turks & Caicos Islands

Free
Central America Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama Free
SADC EPA Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia Free
Eastern and Southern Africa States Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Zimbabwe Free
CPTPP Brunei, Malaysia Free
UK–Andorra agreement Andorra Free
UK–Albania agreement Albania Free
UK–Australia agreement Australia Free
UK–Canada agreement Canada Free
UK–Switzerland agreement Switzerland Free
UK–Côte d’Ivoire agreement Côte d’Ivoire Free
UK–Chile agreement Chile Free
UK–Cameroon agreement Cameroon Free
UK–Colombia agreement Colombia Free
UK–Ceuta & Melilla agreement Ceuta & Melilla Free
UK–Ecuador agreement Ecuador Free
UK–Egypt agreement Egypt Free
UK–Fiji agreement Fiji Free
UK–Faroe Islands agreement Faroe Islands Free
UK–Georgia agreement Georgia Free
UK–Ghana agreement Ghana Free
DCTS Standard Indonesia Free
UK–Israel agreement Israel Free
UK–India agreement India Free
UK–Iceland agreement Iceland Free
UK–Jordan agreement Jordan Free
UK–Japan agreement Japan Free
UK–Kenya agreement Kenya Free
UK–South Korea agreement South Korea Free
UK–Lebanon agreement Lebanon Free
UK–Liechtenstein agreement Liechtenstein Free
UK–Morocco agreement Morocco Free
UK–Moldova agreement Moldova Free
UK–North Macedonia agreement North Macedonia Free
UK–Mexico agreement Mexico Free
UK–Norway agreement Norway Free
UK–New Zealand agreement New Zealand Free
UK–Peru agreement Peru Free
UK–Papua New Guinea agreement Papua New Guinea Free
UK–Palestinian Territories agreement Palestinian Territories Free
UK–Serbia agreement Serbia Free
UK–Solomon Islands agreement Solomon Islands Free
UK–Singapore agreement Singapore Free
UK–San Marino agreement San Marino Free
UK–Tunisia agreement Tunisia Free
UK–Türkiye agreement Türkiye Free
UK–Ukraine agreement Ukraine Free
UK–Vietnam agreement Vietnam Free
UK–Samoa agreement Samoa Free
UK–Kosovo agreement Kosovo Free
UK–South Africa agreement South Africa Free

UK: imports by month

last 12 months£124.7m-10.8% · previous 12 months
Average import price£12.82 per kg
Jan 2024: £11.4mFeb 2024: £11.4mMar 2024: £10.7mApr 2024: £10.3mMay 2024: £10.7mJun 2024: £12.2mJul 2024: £12.2mAug 2024: £10.3mSept 2024: £13.6mOct 2024: £14.6mNov 2024: £14.3mDec 2024: £10mJan 2025: £11.4mFeb 2025: £12mMar 2025: £11.3mApr 2025: £9.6mMay 2025: £10.8mJun 2025: £9.3mJul 2025: £12.5mAug 2025: £10.4mSept 2025: £11mOct 2025: £12.7mNov 2025: £9.5mDec 2025: £8.9mJan 2026: £9.6mFeb 2026: £11.3mMar 2026: £11.8mApr 2026: £8.9mMay 2026: £10.3mJun 2026: £11.1mJul 2026: £11.5mAug 2026: £8m 202420252026
Data up to August 2026 (provisional) · Monthly data: Eurostat Comext (CC BY 4.0), HMRC (OGL v3.0)

Main suppliers, last 12 months

CountryValueShareChange
China £40.3m 32.3% -22.4%
France £24.3m 19.5% +1%
Türkiye £10.2m 8.1% +2.7%
United States £8.7m 7% +11.7%
Poland £7.6m 6.1% -10.4%
Slovenia £6.4m 5.1% +45.3%
Hungary £6.2m 5% -18.7%
Japan £4.4m 3.5% -48%

Same subheading in other tariffs

World trade in 2024

8511.50 · US$6bn

Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$45kUS$45k+US$2m+US$65m+> US$558m

Exports: 167
  1. China: US$969m
  2. Mexico: US$944m
  3. France: US$647m
  4. United States: US$569m
  5. Germany: US$558m
  6. Japan: US$500m
  7. Hungary: US$300m
  8. Spain: US$225m
  9. Poland: US$198m
  10. South Korea: US$155m
  11. Italy: US$126m
  12. Thailand: US$107m
  13. Netherlands: US$104m
  14. Czechia: US$82m
  15. Türkiye: US$79m
  16. Slovenia: US$71m
  17. Malaysia: US$65m
  18. United Kingdom: US$64m
  19. India: US$58m
  20. Brazil: US$50m
  21. Indonesia: US$39m
  22. Slovakia: US$30m
  23. Vietnam: US$27m
  24. Taiwan: US$27m
  25. Belgium: US$19m
  26. Saudi Arabia: US$18m
  27. Canada: US$18m
  28. Denmark: US$16m
  29. Sweden: US$12m
  30. Singapore: US$10m
  31. Russia: US$7m
  32. Finland: US$7m
  33. Austria: US$6m
  34. Tunisia: US$6m
  35. South Africa: US$5m
  36. Romania: US$5m
  37. Australia: US$4m
  38. Lithuania: US$3m
  39. Bulgaria: US$3m
  40. Norway: US$2m
  41. Croatia: US$2m
  42. Switzerland: US$2m
  43. New Zealand: US$2m
  44. United Arab Emirates: US$2m
  45. Latvia: US$2m
  46. Ireland: US$2m
  47. Israel: US$1m
  48. Kazakhstan: US$964k
  49. Sierra Leone: US$955k
  50. Belarus: US$942k
  51. Hong Kong SAR China: US$915k
  52. Portugal: US$889k
  53. Kuwait: US$709k
  54. Serbia: US$698k
  55. Colombia: US$525k
  56. Chile: US$523k
  57. Greece: US$471k
  58. Nigeria: US$471k
  59. Philippines: US$400k
  60. Estonia: US$399k

Top exporters

RankCountryValueShare
1 China US$969m 15.7%
2 Mexico US$944m 15.3%
3 France US$647m 10.5%
4 United States US$569m 9.2%
5 Germany US$558m 9.1%
6 Japan US$500m 8.1%
7 Hungary US$300m 4.9%
8 Spain US$225m 3.7%
9 Poland US$198m 3.2%
10 South Korea US$155m 2.5%

Top importers

RankCountryValueShare
1 United States US$2bn 25%
2 Germany US$565m 9.2%
3 Mexico US$423m 6.9%
4 China US$370m 6%
5 France US$252m 4.1%
6 Spain US$217m 3.5%
7 Poland US$189m 3.1%
8 Japan US$178m 2.9%
9 United Kingdom US$178m 2.9%
10 Italy US$168m 2.7%

Import duty on this product around the world 165

The most-favoured-nation (MFN) duty each country applies to goods of this HS subheading: the average over its national tariff lines, with the lowest and highest line where they differ. Goods from countries with a trade agreement often pay less.

  • 7.5%median duty
  • 26number of duty-free countries (MFN)
  • 50%highest: Kiribati, Bermuda, Cambodia

165

Importing countryMFN dutylines from – todata year
Afghanistan 5% 2018 · HS 2012
Albania 2% 2023
Algeria 15% 2023
Angola 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Anguilla 20% 2021 · HS 2017
Antigua & Barbuda 30% 2021 · HS 2007
Argentina 18% 2023 · HS 2017
Armenia 4.4% 0% – 7.5% 2023
Aruba 12% 2021 · HS 2012
Australia 5% 2023
Azerbaijan 7.5% 0% – 15% 2023 · HS 2017
Bahamas 13% 0% – 45% 2022
Bahrain 5% 2023
Bangladesh 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Barbados 10% 2022 · HS 2017
Belarus 5.6% 5% – 7.5% 2021 · HS 2017
Belize 10% 2023
Benin 10% 2023
Bermuda 35% 2023
Bhutan 10% 2022
Bolivia 7.5% 5% – 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Bosnia & Herzegovina 2.5% 0% – 5% 2022
Botswana 7.5% 0% – 15% 2023
Brazil 18% 2023 · HS 2017
Brunei 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Burkina Faso 10% 2023
Burundi 10% 2023
Cambodia 35% 2023 · HS 2017
Cameroon 20% 2023
Canada 0% 2023
Cape Verde 5% 0% – 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Cayman Islands 25% 22% – 27% 2021 · HS 2002
Central African Republic 20% 2023
Chad 20% 2023
Chile 6% 2023 · HS 2017
China 6.5% 5% – 8% 2023
Colombia 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Comoros 20% 2021 · HS 2017
Congo - Brazzaville 20% 2023
Cook Islands 0% 2022 · HS 2017
Costa Rica 0% 2023
Côte d’Ivoire 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Cuba 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Dominica 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Dominican Republic 3% 2023
Ecuador 2.5% 0% – 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Egypt 5% 2019 · HS 2017
El Salvador 0% 2022
Equatorial Guinea 20% 2023
Eswatini 7.5% 0% – 15% 2023
Ethiopia 30% 2021 · HS 2017
European Union (27 countries) 3.2% 2023
Fiji 5% 2023
French Polynesia 6% 2023
Gabon 20% 2023
Gambia 10% 2023
Georgia 0% 2022 · HS 2017
Ghana 10% 2023
Gibraltar 12% 2023 · HS 2017
Grenada 35% 2023 · HS 2012
Guatemala 0% 2023
Guinea 10% 2023
Guinea-Bissau 10% 2023
Guyana 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Haiti 0% 2020 · HS 2017
Honduras 0% 2023
Hong Kong SAR China 0% 2023
Iceland 0% 2023
India 15% 2023
Indonesia 6.3% 0% – 10% 2023
Iran 20% 2020 · HS 2017
Israel 4% 0% – 6% 2022 · HS 2017
Jamaica 0% 2023
Japan 0% 2023
Jordan 5% 2023
Kazakhstan 0% 2023
Kenya 10% 2023
Kiribati 50% 2023 · HS 2002
Kuwait 5% 2023
Kyrgyzstan 5.6% 5% – 7.5% 2021 · HS 2017
Laos 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Lebanon 5% 2020 · HS 2017
Lesotho 7.5% 0% – 15% 2023
Liberia 10% 2023
Libya 5% 2021 · HS 2017
Liechtenstein 3.9%* 2021 · HS 2017
Macao SAR China 0% 2023
Madagascar 10% 2023
Malawi 8.8% 0% – 25% 2021 · HS 2017
Malaysia 0% 2023
Maldives 20% 2023
Mali 10% 2023
Mauritania 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Mauritius 0% 2023
Mexico 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Micronesia 4% 2021 · HS 2017
Moldova 8% 2023 · HS 2017
Mongolia 5% 2023
Montserrat 20% 2023 · HS 2017
Morocco 2.5% 2023
Mozambique 7.5% 2023
Myanmar (Burma) 4.4% 0% – 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Namibia 7.5% 0% – 15% 2023
Nauru 10% 2021 · HS 2017
Nepal 15% 2023
New Zealand 5% 2023
Nicaragua 0% 2023
Niger 10% 2023
Nigeria 10% 2023
North Macedonia 8% 2023
Norway 0% 2023
Oman 5% 2023
Pakistan 30% 20% – 35% 2023
Palau 3% 2023 · HS 2012
Palestinian Territories 4% 0% – 6% 2017 · HS 2017
Panama 0% 2023
Papua New Guinea 0% 2023
Paraguay 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Peru 3% 0% – 6% 2023 · HS 2017
Philippines 8.6% 3% – 20% 2023
Qatar 5% 2023
Russia 5.6% 5% – 7.5% 2021 · HS 2017
Rwanda 10% 2023
Samoa 20% 2020 · HS 2017
São Tomé & Príncipe 10% 2019 · HS 2017
Saudi Arabia 15% 2023
Senegal 10% 2023
Seychelles 0% 2023
Sierra Leone 10% 2023
Singapore 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Solomon Islands 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Somalia 15% 2023 · HS 2017
South Africa 7.5% 0% – 15% 2023
South Korea 5.5% 3% – 8% 2023
Sri Lanka 15% 2023
St Kitts & Nevis 25% 2023
St Lucia 30% 2023 · HS 2012
St Pierre & Miquelon 7% 2021 · HS 2017
St Vincent & the Grenadines 10% 2023
Sudan 10% 2021 · HS 2017
Suriname 5% 2023 · HS 2007
Switzerland 3.6%* 2023
Syria 10% 2020 · HS 2012
Tajikistan 3.8% 0% – 5% 2021 · HS 2012
Tanzania 10% 2023
Thailand 10% 2023
Togo 10% 2023
Tonga 15% 2023 · HS 2017
Trinidad & Tobago 20% 2023 · HS 2012
Türkiye 1.6% 0% – 3.2% 2023
Tuvalu 19% 2017 · HS 2017
Uganda 10% 2023
Ukraine 0.3% 0% – 1% 2023 · HS 2017
United Arab Emirates 5% 2023
United Kingdom 1% 0% – 2% 2023
United States 2.5% 2023
Uruguay 18% 2023 · HS 2017
Uzbekistan 5% 2021 · HS 2017
Vanuatu 15% 2023
Venezuela 18% 2023 · HS 2017
Vietnam 13% 0% – 20% 2023
Wallis & Futuna 6% 2021 · HS 2012
Yemen 5% 2017 · HS 2017
Zambia 15% 2023
Zimbabwe 0.1% 2023

Tariff data years 2017–2023; rates may have changed since. * ad valorem equivalent of specific duties (UNCTAD estimate) · UNCTAD TRAINS, accessed via WITS (World Bank)

Classifications and correspondences

Where this HS subheading sits in the United Nations' statistical classifications, and which codes it had in earlier editions of the Harmonized System.

SITC Rev. 4
77831 Electrical ignition/starting equipment of a kind used for spark-ignition/compression-ignition internal combustion engines (e.g., ignition magnetos, magnetodynamos, ignition coils, sparking-plugs & glow plugs, starter motors); generators (e.g., dyn
End use (BEC Rev. 5)
Intermediate goods · BEC 511220
CPC 2.1 product
46910 Electrical ignition or starting equipment of a kind used for internal combustion engines; generators and cut-outs of a kind used in conjunction with internal combustion engines; electrical lighting or signalling equipment (except filament or discharge lamps), windscreen wipers, defrosters and demisters, of a kind used for cycles or motor vehicles
ISIC Rev. 4 activity
2740 Manufacture of electric lighting equipment
2930 Manufacture of parts and accessories for motor vehicles

Earlier HS editions

HSCode
20178511.50changed
20128511.50changed
20078511.50changed
20028511.50changed
19968511.50changed
19928511.50changed

Correspondence tables of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD)

Recent rule changes mentioning this code

Acts whose text cites this code or its heading. Check the act itself: a code can be cited for reasons other than a change of its duty.

  1. US Import and export controls

    Notice of Action: Brazil's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Digital Trade and Electronic Payment Services; Unfair, Preferential Tariffs; Anti-Corruption Enforcement; Intellectual Property Protection; Ethanol Market Access; and Illegal Deforestation

    FR Doc. 2026-14542 · 91 FR 45516 · Source: federalregister.gov

  2. US Tariff change

    Notice of Determination and Request for Comments Concerning Action Pursuant to Section 301: Brazil's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Digital Trade and Electronic Payment Services; Unfair, Preferential Tariffs; Anti-Corruption Enforcement; Intellectual Property Protection; Ethanol Market Access; and Illegal Deforestation

    FR Doc. 2026-11158 · 91 FR 33854 · Source: federalregister.gov

Rule changes →

The UK Global Tariff divides subheading 8511.50 into 2 tariff lines; the duty is 2%.

Subheading 8511.50 is a single line in the EU Combined Nomenclature, where the duty is 3.2%.

174 countries pay no duty in the UK thanks to trade agreements and preference schemes such as DCTS Comprehensive and European Union, against a standard rate of 2%.

In the UK, additional duty of 35% applies on top of the customs duty to goods from Belarus and Russia.

Imports of other vehicle generators (alternators) into the UK came to £124.7m between September 2025 and August 2026 (down 11% on the year before); China supplied 32%, followed by France.

In 2024, countries exported other vehicle generators (alternators) worth US$6bn (+1.5% year on year).

The largest exporter was China (US$969m), followed by Mexico.

Questions and answers

What is the HS code for electrical ignition or starting equipment of a kind used: other generators?

Electrical ignition or starting equipment of a kind used: other generators fall under HS subheading 8511.50, part of heading 8511, in section XVI of the Harmonized System.

What is the import duty on electrical ignition or starting equipment of a… in the UK?

Under the UK Global Tariff, imports under 8511.50 from countries without a preferential agreement are charged at 2%. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.

What is the import duty on electrical ignition or starting equipment of a… in the EU?

Under the EU Combined Nomenclature, imports under 8511.50 from countries without a preferential agreement are charged at 3.2%. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.

Which country exports the most electrical ignition or starting equipment of a…?

China, with US$969m in 2024 (15.7% of world exports).

Which countries can export other vehicle generators (alternators) to the UK duty-free?

174 countries pay no duty under a trade agreement or preference scheme, among them partners under DCTS Comprehensive, European Union, DCTS Enhanced. The goods must meet the agreement’s rules of origin and the importer needs proof of origin; otherwise the standard rate of 2% applies. Pick a country above to see its rate.

Is there anti-dumping duty on other vehicle generators (alternators)?

The UK charges additional duty of 35% on goods from Belarus and Russia. Lower rates apply to the named exporters listed in the measure.

Where does the UK import other vehicle generators (alternators) from?

In the 12 months to August 2026, the largest suppliers were China (32%), France (20%) and Türkiye (8%), out of total imports of £124.7m.

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