How to import a robot to the UK
Checked 9 October 2026
The list price is never the price you pay. If you order a humanoid or robot dog straight from the maker in China or the US, you pay shipping, then UK import VAT and a courier fee before it is delivered. Here is how it works, with a worked example, so you can compare it fairly with buying from a UK seller.
The costs, step by step
| Robot price | The maker's list price, usually in US$, before tax. |
|---|---|
| Shipping | Humanoids often cost US$300 to US$1,200 to ship. Big lithium batteries (over 100 Wh) count as fully regulated dangerous goods, which adds cost and limits how they can fly. |
| Customs duty | Often 0% for robots under commodity code 8479 50 00. Check your robot's code in the GOV.UK Trade Tariff. |
| Import VAT | 20% of the robot price plus shipping, insurance and duty. |
| Courier fee | For paying the VAT for you: DHL £11 or 2.5% (whichever is more), FedEx 2.5% with a £13 minimum. |
Worked example: a US$5,900 Unitree R1
Using an example exchange rate of US$1.30 to the pound (check today's rate), US$5,900 is about £4,540. Add shipping of, say, US$800 (about £615): £5,155. Import VAT at 20% adds about £1,031. The courier fee adds about £26. Total: roughly £6,210, with no UK warranty and a wait for international delivery. The same robot is £6,999 at Scan, in stock, with a UK warranty and a VAT invoice. The saving is real but smaller than it looks, and businesses can usually reclaim VAT either way.
Example only. Shipping quotes, exchange rates and fees change; get exact figures from the seller and courier before you order.
Things that catch people out
- Warranty and repairs: UK sellers give 8 to 12 months with UK repairs. Buying direct can mean shipping a broken robot back to China.
- Batteries: spare batteries are expensive and hard to ship. Ask what is in the box before you pay.
- Markings: Great Britain accepts both UKCA and CE marks on electrical goods. If you import robots to resell, you take on the importer's legal duties.
- The version: cheap list prices are usually for the basic version that cannot run your own code. Check before you compare.
The easier way
For a robot worth thousands of pounds, ask UK sellers first. Our dealer quote form asks authorised UK sellers for their price on the exact version you need, and it is free. Compare every humanoid on our humanoid robot price list.
Questions people ask
Do I pay import VAT on a robot?
Yes. UK import VAT is 20%, charged on the price of the robot plus shipping, insurance and any duty. The courier usually collects it before delivery.
Is there customs duty on robots?
Often 0%. Robots classed under commodity code 8479 50 00 show a 0% UK duty rate, but always check the exact code for your robot in the GOV.UK Trade Tariff, because classification can vary.
What extra fees will the courier charge?
A handling fee for paying the VAT on your behalf. DHL charges £11 or 2.5% of the duty and VAT, whichever is more; FedEx charges 2.5% with a £13 minimum.
Is it cheaper to import a humanoid than buy in the UK?
Sometimes on paper, rarely once you add shipping, VAT, fees, the risk of delays and the lack of UK warranty. For anything over a few thousand pounds, get a UK dealer quote first.
This is general guidance, not tax or legal advice. Rules from GOV.UK and courier fee pages, checked 9 October 2026.