Sourcing automatic strapping machines from China

Zero duty on machines and machinery parts

Heading 8422 covers packaging machinery alongside dishwashers and container-processing machines. Automatic strapping machines fit the other packing or wrapping machinery description under 8422 40 00 00. The machine variants in the table share that tariff line. See the wider heading guide. For dishwashing equipment, see our commercial flight-type dishwashers sourcing guide. For pallet wrapping, see our pallet wrapper sourcing guide.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 8 October 2026, the supplied records show 0% duty for goods from China under the machine and parts codes shown, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls. Import VAT is separate from customs duty.

Confirm the commodity code using the machine's function and condition as imported. Do not assume every spare uses the machinery-parts code; give your broker the part description, drawing and intended use.

Specify the strap, pack and line interface

Specify polypropylene or polyester strap, its width and thickness, reel dimensions, pack dimensions and weight, arch opening, conveyor height and required output. Agree the tension range and joint acceptance method using your actual strap and packs. Include soft cartons and irregular loads where relevant, rather than testing only rigid demonstration boxes.

Agree the electrical supply, compressed-air needs, upstream and downstream signals, jam recovery and operator controls. Complete machines for Great Britain need conformity assessment, a technical file, a declaration of conformity, an English manual and appropriate guarding. CE marking remains recognised indefinitely in Great Britain. Review the exact configuration through testing and certification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 13 automatic strapping machines, illustrative only under 8422 40 00 00, invoiced at £75,000 free on board, with £5,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £80,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £80,000, so it is £16,000. 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

Strap feed: run your specified reels and packs through repeated cycles; check threading, tracking, missed feeds and recovery after a jam.

Tension and joint: check strap placement, joint strength, clean cutting and tension repeatability; inspect cartons for crushing and straps for slipping.

Safety and documents: check the model against the declaration and English manual; test emergency stops and guard interlocks with a competent person using an agreed safe procedure.

Arrival and support: inspect the arch, conveyor and securing points for transport damage; reconcile spare blades, heaters, feed rollers and electrical drawings with the packing list.

What goes wrong

A machine demonstrated with the factory's strap may misfeed with the buyer's reels. Different strap stiffness, reel fit or pack geometry can expose feed-path problems. Excess tension crushes cartons; insufficient tension leaves loose bundles. A neat-looking joint can still separate during handling.

Line problems also arise when conveyor heights, detection signals or jam sequences do not match the existing equipment. Put these interfaces and spare-part references into the purchase specification, then run a factory acceptance test with your materials before shipment. Repeat the agreed checks after installation.

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.