Sourcing automotive brake discs from China
Automotive brake discs from China carry 4% ordinary UK duty under the supplied disc-brake parts line; its limited suspensions do not describe ordinary replacement discs. Products should be sold only after safety compliance has been demonstrated. Specify fitment and inspect machining by batch. Cambridge China Bridge sources automotive brake discs.
UK duty on automotive brake discs
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 8708 covers motor-vehicle parts and accessories. The supplied line 8708 30 91 90 covers other parts for disc brakes and carries 4% duty for goods from China. The table shows buying variants sharing this code, rather than separate tariff lines. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded for this line. For steering wheel purchases, see our automotive steering wheel sourcing guide.
The line lists 0.00 % suspensions with descriptions covering specified parking brakes, brake pads and actuation units, rather than ordinary replacement discs. It also attaches a restriction on entry into free circulation concerning ozone-depleting substances and a cultural-goods export-licence entry. Confirm the applicable declaration requirement with your customs broker; the export entry should also be checked if the goods will later be exported.
Confirm the commodity code using the actual disc construction, application and intended use before ordering. Do not select a suspension merely because it appears under the same code. For the wider brake-parts heading, see brake calipers.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid automotive brake discs, other disc-brake parts | 8708 30 91 90 | 4% | None |
Specify the disc and its vehicle application
Order by part number and original-equipment cross-reference, supported by a drawing and an approved sample. Specify vehicle application, axle position, solid or ventilated construction, outside diameter, thickness, overall height, centre bore, mounting-hole pattern and any integral parking-brake drum. Agree dimensional tolerances rather than accepting a catalogue photograph.
Fix the casting material, hardness acceptance criteria, friction-face finish, coating coverage and packaging. Ask for test evidence matching the supplied disc design and material. Products should be sold only after compliance with product safety regulations has been demonstrated appropriately. Have a competent adviser confirm the applicable approval route for the intended vehicle and market before approving production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 300 automotive brake discs; FOB and freight values are illustrative. under 8708 30 91 90, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,500. Duty at 4% is £300. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,800, so it is £1,560. Import taxes total £1,860; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £300 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fitment: compare the part number, centre bore, mounting holes, height and parking-brake drum against the approved drawing and sample.
Machining: measure disc thickness variation and lateral runout using the agreed fixture and method; record results against the purchase specification.
Casting and finish: inspect for cracks, porosity, damaged ventilation passages, burrs and corrosion; compare material and hardness records with the batch.
Identity and packing: match disc, box and carton labels to the packing list; check batch identity, protective packing and moisture damage on arrival. See quality inspection.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A disc can match the catalogue diameter yet have the wrong height or centre bore. Mixed application labels, uneven machining, casting defects and damaged protective coatings create further rejection risks. Quarantine suspect batches and retain measurements, photographs and the corresponding supplier records.
A sample approval does not establish that later batches use the same casting material or machining settings. Agree change approval with the factory, retain a reference sample and compare arrival checks with the pre-shipment report. Use testing and certification support to define the evidence needed for the actual application.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on brake discs from China?
The supplied line 8708 30 91 90 carries 4% ordinary duty. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is recorded. Its limited suspensions do not describe ordinary replacement discs.
Can I order brake discs using a vehicle model name?
Use a part number, original-equipment cross-reference and drawing as well as the vehicle application. Check axle position, disc height, bore, mounting holes and any parking-brake drum.
What should I inspect when brake discs arrive?
Check part and batch identity, fitment dimensions, thickness variation, runout, casting condition, coating and packing damage against the agreed specification.
Does a factory test report prove my brake discs are compliant?
Check that it covers the supplied design, material and application. Products should be sold only after safety compliance has been demonstrated; confirm the applicable approval route before ordering.