Process / SOPVertical: Solar BoSCorridor: CN → GB
Standard operating procedure for batch-verifying the ultraviolet resistance of DC photovoltaic cable procured in China and shipped to Great Britain. Covers sampling, exposure, mechanical verification, customs release.
PV1-F / H1Z2Z2-K-class double-insulated solar DC cable sourced from a Chinese OEM and imported under standard commercial terms to a GB-based solar EPC, distributor, or installer. Pair this SOP with the OEM datasheet and the active CCC / UKCA-UK technical file referenced in Compliance.
Every step below is anchored to an allow-listed source. Where a fact could change (duty rates, HS classification notes), the entry is marked accordingly.
| Item | Reference | Source name | URL | Accessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PV wire designation | IEC 62930 / EN 50618 | IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) | https://www.iec.ch/ | 2026-09-21 |
| Artificial weathering | IEC 60068-2-5 | IEC | https://www.iec.ch/ | 2026-09-21 |
| Mechanical tests on insulation/sheath | IEC 60811-501 | IEC | https://www.iec.ch/ | 2026-09-21 |
| AQL sampling plan | ISO 2859-1 | ISO (International Organization for Standardization) | https://www.iso.org/ | 2026-09-21 |
| Trade term handover | Incoterms® 2020 | ICC (International Chamber of Commerce) | https://iccwbo.org/ | 2026-09-21 |
| GB customs declaration | CDS — Customs Declaration Service | GOV.UK (HMRC official portal) | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-access-to-the-customs-declaration-service | 2026-09-21 |
| Tariff classification lookup | UK Integrated Online Tariff | GOV.UK (HMRC official portal) | https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/ | 2026-09-21 |
| Claim | Source name | URL | Accessed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insulated wire and cable is classified under Chapter 85 of the Harmonized System, and solar DC cable of the H1Z2Z2-K / EN 50618 family is typically declared under heading 8544 (insulated conductors, optical fibre cables). Exact sub-heading is product-specific and must be confirmed against the UK Integrated Online Tariff. | GOV.UK (HMRC official portal) | https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/ | 2026-09-21 |
| GB import duty and VAT treatment for insulated conductors depends on the exact 10-digit commodity code; rates are looked up at the time of entry on the UK Integrated Online Tariff. | GOV.UK (HMRC official portal) | https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/ | 2026-09-21 |
| Incoterms® 2020 defines the transfer of risk and cost between seller and buyer; the agreed term (e.g., FOB, CIF, DAP) must be stated on the commercial invoice. | ICC (International Chamber of Commerce) | https://iccwbo.org/ | 2026-09-21 |
| AQL sampling plans for attribute inspection are defined in ISO 2859-1, with separate tables for normal, reduced, and tightened inspection at common AQL levels of 1.0 and 2.5. | ISO (International Organization for Standardization) | https://www.iso.org/ | 2026-09-21 |
| Artificial UV weathering of cable materials can be performed per IEC 60068-2-5, with exposure parameters matched to the OEM datasheet claim. | IEC | https://www.iec.ch/ | 2026-09-21 |
| Tensile strength and elongation-at-break of insulation and sheath after ageing are tested per IEC 60811-501, with results compared to the unaged baseline. | IEC | https://www.iec.ch/ | 2026-09-21 |
| Solar PV wire intended for DC string and inverter interconnection is standardized in IEC 62930 and EN 50618, including the H1Z2Z2-K designation and UV-resistance requirements. | IEC | https://www.iec.ch/ | 2026-09-21 |
| GB import declarations are lodged through the Customs Declaration Service (CDS); access is managed via GOV.UK guidance. | GOV.UK (HMRC official portal) | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-access-to-the-customs-declaration-service | 2026-09-21 |
| Step # | Action | Owner | Input doc | Output doc | Done-when |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Confirm cable designation (e.g., H1Z2Z2-K, 4 mm² / 6 mm²), voltage rating, and applicable standard against IEC 62930 / EN 50618. | Tradvolt QA lead | Buyer RFQ, OEM catalogue | Scope memo | Scope memo signed and filed to the project folder. |
| 2 | Request the OEM datasheet, CoC, and UV-resistance claim with reference to the named IEC / EN standard and exposure duration. | Tradvolt sourcing | OEM datasheet request email | OEM CoC packet | CoC packet received and checked against the cable label markings. |
| 3 | Select the AQL level and lot size, then read sample size, Ac, and Re from the ISO 2859-1 table for normal inspection. | Tradvolt QA lead | ISO 2859-1 | AQL sampling plan | Sampling plan countersigned by the OEM and the buyer. |
| 4 | Draw the sample units randomly from the lot, seal and tag each unit with batch/lot ID, and log the chain of custody. | OEM QC + Tradvolt surveyor | Lot register, seal log | Chain-of-custody form | Chain-of-custody form signed by both parties. |
| 5 | Expose specimens in the weathering chamber per IEC 60068-2-5 (xenon-arc or UV-A 340 nm) for the duration named on the OEM datasheet. | OEM lab (or accredited 3rd-party lab) | Chamber run sheet, OEM datasheet | Exposure run report | Exposure run report countersigned by the lab operator. |
| 6 | Run tensile strength and elongation-at-break on exposed and unexposed specimens per IEC 60811-501 and compare results. | OEM lab / 3rd-party lab | Specimens, IEC 60811-501 | Mechanical test sheet | Mechanical test sheet filed with the Batch Test Report. |
| 7 | Visually inspect each specimen for cracking, chalking, discoloration, or embrittlement against the visual AQL sheet. | Tradvolt QA lead + OEM QC | Visual AQL sheet | Visual inspection record | Inspection record shows accept or reject against the ISO 2859-1 Ac/Re numbers. |
| 8 | Compile the Batch Test Report: sample IDs, conditions, mechanical results, visual results, and a pass/fail statement. | Tradvolt QA lead | Exposure run report, mechanical sheet, visual record | Batch Test Report (PDF) | Batch Test Report is signed and distributed to the buyer. |
| 9 | Prepare commercial invoice, packing list, CoC, and SDS; lodge the GB customs declaration through CDS per GOV.UK guidance. | Tradvolt logistics + customs broker | Commercial invoice, CoC, SDS, packing list | CDS acceptance receipt | CDS acceptance receipt obtained and the EORI is logged. |
| 10 | Confirm the agreed ICC Incoterms® 2020 term on the shipping instruction (e.g., FOB Shanghai, CIF Felixstambuk, DAP buyer warehouse). | Tradvolt logistics + buyer | Sales contract, shipping instruction | Shipping instruction | Both parties countersign the shipping instruction naming the Incoterm. |
| 11 | Release the lot for loading once the Batch Test Report is signed, the CoC is filed to the shipment, and the customs entry is accepted. | Tradvolt logistics + OEM warehouse | Batch Test Report, CDS receipt | Pre-shipment release note | Pre-shipment release note archived against the Bill of Lading. |
| 12 | Close out the project: archive the Batch Test Report, AQL sheet, customs receipts, and Bill of Lading; send the close-out pack to the buyer. | Tradvolt QA lead | All step outputs | Close-out pack | Close-out pack delivered and the project is marked closed in the CRM. |
The batch is accepted when the number of defective units in the sample is ≤ the Ac number from the ISO 2859-1 table for the chosen AQL level and inspection severity. Common starting points:
Always read the actual Ac/Re figures from the live ISO 2859-1 table at the time of inspection; the numbers above are reference levels only.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Goods description | Insulated solar DC cable, typically H1Z2Z2-K / EN 50618 class. |
| Harmonized System chapter | Chapter 85 — Electrical machinery and equipment. |
| HS heading (insulated conductors / optical fibre cables) | 8544 |
| Exact 10-digit UK commodity code | PENDING — lookup on the UK Integrated Online Tariff at the time of entry. |
| Import duty rate | PENDING — lookup on the UK Integrated Online Tariff for the confirmed commodity code. |
| VAT treatment | PENDING — lookup on GOV.UK at the time of entry. |
| Additional duties (e.g., anti-dumping, safeguards) | PENDING — lookup for the confirmed commodity code at the time of entry. |
| Official tariff portal | UK Integrated Online Tariff (GOV.UK / HMRC). |
| Portal URL | https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/ |
| Declaration portal | Customs Declaration Service (CDS) — GOV.UK. |
| Declaration portal URL | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-access-to-the-customs-declaration-service |
| Cost slot | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Unit price (USD per metre) | indicative | Per OEM offer letter; subject to copper price, conductor size, and lot volume. |
| Lab / batch test fee (USD per lot) | indicative | Per accredited lab quotation; varies with AQL sample size and exposure duration. |
| Pre-shipment inspection (USD per manday) | indicative | Per surveyor quotation. |
| Ocean freight CN→GB (USD per CBM or per container) | indicative | Per freight forwarder rate sheet at booking. |
| Import duty (UK) | UNCERTAIN | PENDING — lookup on the UK Integrated Online Tariff. |
| VAT (UK) | UNCERTAIN | PENDING — lookup on GOV.UK at the time of entry. |
| Customs broker fee (GBP per entry) | indicative | Per broker quotation. |
| Insurance (% of CIF) | indicative | Per insurer quotation; required for CIF / CIP terms per ICC Incoterms® 2020. |
| Phase | Indicative duration | Dependency |
|---|---|---|
| Sample draw and chain of custody (Steps 3–4) | 1–2 working days after lot is ready | OEM confirms lot completion; ISO 2859-1 sample plan signed. |
| Weathering exposure (Step 5) | defined by OEM datasheet / IEC 60068-2-5 | Cannot start until specimens are conditioned and chamber slot is booked. |
| Mechanical and visual verification (Steps 6–7) | 2–4 working days post-exposure | Exposure complete; lab capacity available. |
| Batch Test Report (Step 8) | 1 working day after tests | All lab sheets signed. |
| Customs and shipping set (Steps 9–10) | 2–3 working days | Commercial invoice and CoC received; CDS access active; Incoterm agreed. |
| Loading and pre-shipment release (Step 11) | 1 working day | Batch Test Report signed, CDS entry accepted, container available. |
| Sea transit CN→GB | approx. 28–35 days (indicative) | Per carrier sailing and port congestion. |
| Close-out (Step 12) | 1–2 working days after arrival | Bill of Lading, customs receipts, and BTR archived. |
Durations are indicative and depend on OEM capacity, chamber slot, lab queue, and ocean carrier schedule. Confirm each leg in writing before booking.
Use these filenames in the project folder so every shipment on the CN→GB corridor is searchable in one convention:
01_scope_memo_CN__GB.docx02_oem_datasheet_H1Z2Z2-K.pdf03_oem_coc_H1Z2Z2-K.pdf04_aql_sampling_plan_ISO2859-1.xlsx05_chain_of_custody.pdf06_exposure_run_report_IEC60068-2-5.pdf07_mechanical_test_IEC60811-501.xlsx08_visual_inspection_AQL.xlsx09_batch_test_report.pdf10_commercial_invoice.pdf11_packing_list.pdf12_sds_solar_cable.pdf13_cds_acceptance_receipt.pdf14_shipping_instruction_Incoterms2020.pdf15_bill_of_lading.pdf16_close_out_pack.zipA printable copy of items 04, 07, 08, 09 and 16 is also available in the Batch Test Checklist (PDF).