Sourcing Angle Grinders from China

UK duty on angle grinders

Heading 8467 covers hand-held pneumatic, hydraulic and motor-driven tools and their parts. For angle grinders, distinguish mains-powered, cordless and pneumatic models. Separately imported parts need their own classification. For related tools within the wider heading, see the random orbital sanders guide.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 13 December 2026, the selected lines carry 0% to 2% duty for goods from China. Mains-powered and cordless electric angle grinders carry 2%; the selected pneumatic metalworking and parts lines carry 0%. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines.

Give your customs broker the drive type, power supply, intended material and details of whether the shipment contains complete tools or separate parts. Mains-powered angle grinders have a specific line, while cordless tools fall under the line for operation without an external power source. Confirm the exact classification using finding your commodity code.

Specify the disc, spindle and guarded task

State whether the grinder is intended for cutting, weld dressing or surface preparation, and name the work material. Specify disc diameter, bore, spindle thread, flange arrangement, guard configuration and side-handle positions. Agree the switch action, speed control and any braking or restart protection offered by the supplier.

Define loaded cutting or grinding performance rather than relying on wattage or no-load speed. Trial a production-representative sample with the intended disc and material. For cordless models, specify the battery platform, supplied packs, charger and replacement availability. For pneumatic models, agree air pressure, consumption and connections.

For Great Britain supply, obtain the exact model's declaration of conformity, English instructions, conformity marking and supporting technical evidence. Machinery must be safe before it is placed on the market or put into service. Review which electrical, electromagnetic compatibility and battery obligations apply to the supplied configuration through testing and certification support.

For electric models, check whether your business is an electrical-equipment producer; producers must register annually. Ask the relevant authority to confirm any obligations for supplied batteries. Agree replacement guards, flanges, switches and service parts against the approved model before ordering.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 52 mains-powered angle grinders; FOB and freight values are illustrative under 8467 29 51 00, invoiced at £2,025 free on board, with £468 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,493. Duty at 2% is £49.86. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,542.86, so it is £508.57. Import taxes total £558.43; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £49.86 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Disc and spindle: check the agreed disc dimensions, spindle thread, flange seating and visible run-out. HSE guidance says the machine's marked speed should not exceed the speed marked on the wheel, blotter or identification label.

Guard and controls: compare guard fit, clamp security, handle attachment, switch action and any specified brake or restart protection with the approved sample and instructions.

Loaded trial: have a competent tester repeat the agreed task and record speed loss, stalling, heat, abnormal vibration and the condition of the finished work.

Identity and contents: match model markings, declaration, English instructions and reports to the delivered tool. Check the specified cable and plug, battery and charger, or air connection, plus the promised accessories and spares.

What goes wrong

A disc that appears to fit may have the wrong bore, flange arrangement or speed rating. A changed guard or spindle assembly can also leave production tools different from the approved sample. Record the complete accessory arrangement, and use the angle-grinder disc checklist alongside the machine specification.

A free-running demonstration can conceal stalling, heating or poor control under load. A different battery pack or unavailable replacement switch can disrupt servicing. Compare production tools with the approved sample, and do not treat another model's test report or a laboratory vibration value as proof of the delivered tool's performance in use.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For machinery and equipment, see machinery imports.