Importing LED lighting from China to the EU

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are one of the top products in the lighting market in China. Due to the rapid development of the Chinese lighting industry, the country has become the leading global manufacturer of such products. Therefore, it’s worth checking out what Chinese suppliers in this industry have to offer. We present all you need to know about importing LED lighting from China to the EU.

Production areas for LED lighting in China

Before looking for a supplier, it’s worth checking where most of them are located. Chinese manufacturers of LED lighting are mainly concentrated in the Guangzhou Province, in cities like Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Zhongshan. Guzhen in Zhongshan is considered the center of lighting production and is often referred to as the capital city of lighting in China. Smaller but also significant manufacturing areas for LED lighting are Zhejiang and Jiangsu Provinces.

Production areas for LED lighting in China

Importing LED lighting from China to the EU – Duty rates

When importing from China, it’s crucial to check duty rates for the chosen product. You can find the customs rates on goods imported into the European Union in the TARIC system. There you’ll also check the HS codes for various articles.

The lighting is in Section XVI, “Machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment; parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles.”

Below you can check tariff rates on a few lighting products.

  • Light-emitting diode (LED) lamps (8539500000) – 3.7%
  • Light-emitting diodes (LED), including laser diodes (8541401000) – 0%
  • Fluorescent lamps, hot cathode (8539319090) – 2.7%
  • Cold-cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) for backlighting of flat panel displays (8539392000) – 0%

As you may notice, the duty rates for lighting are especially low. Therefore, their import might be beneficial for you. However, remember to check the requirements for LED lighting beforehand. It’s essential to know the applicable regulations to launch the product on the European market.

Requirements for importing LED lighting from China to the EU

For electrical appliances, e.g., LED lighting, one of the mandatory requirements is CE marking. If you want to import and sell such products in the European Union, they must have the CE mark. First, these goods must be tested for compliance with the correct regulations. Then based on their results, you’ll receive a document – test report. It allows a certification body to issue a CE certificate. With these two documents, the manufacturer can issue a Declaration of Conformity and affix the CE mark to each product.

CE mark

In the EU, the safety principles are regulated by the New Approach Directives and Harmonized Standards. They provide all the details about safety, testing, and other essential information. If you’re interested in importing LED lighting from China to the EU, get acquainted with the RoHS and LVD directives.

LED lighting trade fairs in China

There’re two main ways to find a Chinese supplier. You can check one of the online shopping B2B sites or attend a trade fair in China. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. However, we highly recommend visiting one of the trade fairs and seeing what the suppliers have in their offer. This way, you can check their products’ quality on the spot, talk to them face-to-face, and negotiate prices.

Below we’ve compiled a list of some of the lighting trade fairs organized in China.

China (Guzhen) International Lighting Fair

Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition

Prolight + Sound Guangzhou

DPES Sign Expo China

Shanghai International Lighting Expo

Tianfu International Lighting Fair

  • Localization: Century City New International Convention and Exhibition Center
  • Official website: ledcgo.cn

LED CHINA 2022

  • Localization: Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center
  • Official website: ledchina.com/en

International Signs & Led Exhibition

  • Localization: Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center
  • Official website: isle.org.cn

Importing LED lighting from China to the EU – summary

Importing LED lighting from China is popular due to low duty rates and the market’s demand. Most suppliers of such products are located in the Guangdong Province. If you want to import lighting, check the RoHS and LVD directives, and ensure the goods have a CE mark and the complete set of the necessary documents. Before importing, always verify your supplier to make sure they’re trustworthy.