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Selling Chinese-made products in Great Britain: the product rules in 2026

Last updated: · By Sarah Liu, Thornfield Resources

Short answer: in Great Britain most product rules still accept the EU CE mark indefinitely, so UKCA is optional for most goods. Products must be safe under the general product safety rules and any sector rules. For overseas sellers, online marketplaces now carry several duties, including electrical-waste and packaging reporting and much of the VAT. The government has consulted (closing 23 June 2026) on requiring a UK-based responsible person for higher-risk products; no decision or dates yet.

CE or UKCA marking?

The UK has extended recognition of the CE mark in Great Britain indefinitely for about 21 product regulations, including toys, electrical equipment, radio equipment, machinery and personal protective equipment. That makes UKCA effectively optional for most goods. Construction products and medical devices have their own arrangements. Northern Ireland follows EU product rules, including the CE mark.

Which safety rules apply?

  • General safety: the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 apply in Great Britain to consumer products not covered by more specific rules. Products must be safe, and sellers must act on safety problems.
  • Sector rules: toys, electrical goods, radio equipment, machinery, PPE, cosmetics and others have their own requirements on testing, documents and labelling.
  • Cosmetics: each product sold in Great Britain needs a GB-based Responsible Person who holds the product information file and safety report.
  • Medical devices: an overseas manufacturer must appoint a UK Responsible Person and register devices with the MHRA.

Does the EU's GPSR apply?

Not in Great Britain. The EU General Product Safety Regulation (from 13 December 2024) applies in the EU and in Northern Ireland. It requires a responsible economic operator established in the EU, so a Great Britain company cannot fill that role for EU sales; you need an EU-based importer or authorised representative. For sales into Northern Ireland only, an operator based in Northern Ireland can also fill it.

What do marketplaces handle for overseas sellers?

AreaRule for non-UK sellers using an online marketplace
VAT on goods worth £135 or less sent from abroadThe marketplace is treated as the seller and accounts for VAT
VAT on goods already in the UK sold through a marketplaceThe marketplace accounts for VAT on the sale to the customer; overseas sellers have no VAT registration threshold
Electrical and electronic waste (WEEE)Since 12 August 2025 the marketplace is the producer for electricals sold by non-UK sellers to UK households (marketplaces registered by 15 November 2025; their financial obligations began in January 2026)
Packaging (EPR)Only UK-established businesses can be producers; the marketplace reports packaging for overseas sellers

Once you set up your own UK company or use a UK importer, many of these duties move to that UK business.

What is changing?

  • Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025: lets the government set new product rules by regulation. Consultations ran until 23 June 2026 on making online marketplaces check sellers and remove unsafe products, and on requiring overseas sellers of higher-risk products to appoint a UK-based responsible person. No product list or dates have been published yet.
  • Low-value imports: the government has said it will remove the £135 low-value import relief; in June 2026 it brought the end date forward to October 2028 at the latest, with a new fee on low-value imports to follow. Check GOV.UK for the confirmed date.
  • Batteries: a UK-wide consultation on reforming battery producer rules is expected later in 2026.

Practical checklist for a Chinese manufacturer

  1. Confirm which regulations cover the product and whether a CE mark and EU test reports are accepted.
  2. Keep the technical file and declaration of conformity ready to send on request, in English.
  3. Check labels: product identifier, manufacturer details and any UK importer or responsible person required for the category.
  4. For cosmetics or medical devices, appoint the UK Responsible Person before selling.
  5. Decide whether to sell from abroad through marketplaces or through a UK company, because the VAT, packaging and waste duties differ.
  6. Watch for the regulations under the 2025 Act if your products may count as higher-risk.

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