Sourcing ATM banknote cassettes from China

Duty and the waste-control flag

Heading 8473 covers parts and accessories suitable solely or principally for machines of headings 8470 to 8472, excluding covers and carrying cases. For ATM cassettes, distinguish mechanical parts from electronic assemblies. The shared-use rows apply only where parts are equally suitable for machines in different headings, rather than simply different ATM models.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, all selected lines carried 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures or suspensions recorded. The office-machine parts lines carry import and export waste controls. For imports into England subject to waste notification controls, the Chinese exporter must apply to the dispatch country's competent authority for consent. Confirm applicability and the required procedure with your customs broker before shipment.

Confirm the commodity code using the cassette drawings, intended machine and details of any electronics. For the wider heading, see cash register housings. The import duty and VAT guide explains the separate import VAT calculation.

Specify the cassette and dispensing interface

Specify the target ATM and dispenser model, original part number and revision. Identify whether the cassette feeds notes, collects rejected notes or serves a recycling mechanism. Agree external dimensions, guide rails, docking points, shutter movement, note dimensions, adjustable guides and usable capacity against an approved sample.

Define the lock and key arrangement, tamper seals, handle, follower plate, springs and any sensors or identification electronics. State whether the supply is new or refurbished, and whether keys and replacement wear parts are included. Test samples in the intended dispenser using the banknotes your business handles.

Products sold in Great Britain must meet the applicable product rules. Establish which conformity assessment and marking requirements apply to the supplied design, especially where electronics are included; use testing and certification support to scope the checks before ordering.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 40 new mechanical ATM banknote cassettes; FOB and freight values are illustrative under 8473 40 80 00, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,500, so it is £1,100. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Fit: check the part number and revision, rail alignment, docking, latching and removal in the target dispenser; compare the production cassette with the approved sample.

Note feeding: check guide adjustment, follower movement and shutter operation with the intended notes, including feeding from a nearly empty cassette; record jams, double feeds and damaged notes.

Security and condition: check locks, supplied keys, seals, hinges and handle attachment; look for wear, cracks, repairs and mixed refurbished parts against the agreed condition.

Packing and records: check that shutters, handles and docking surfaces are protected, and that electronic assemblies have anti-static protection; retain batch identification and test records through quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A cassette can resemble the original yet fail to dock because its rails, latch or shutter actuator differ. Incorrect guides or follower pressure can cause skewed notes and intermittent feeding faults. A successful empty fit check does not establish loaded performance, so agree an acceptance test using the intended dispenser and notes.

Refurbished shells can conceal worn springs, cracked guides or mismatched electronics. Specify condition and rejection criteria in the order, and compare arrival samples with the approved sample. Where the waste-control flag remains unresolved, ask your customs broker to confirm the requirement before dispatch.

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.