Sourcing automotive rubber brake hoses from China
Automotive rubber brake hoses from China normally carry 2% UK duty, with a 0% suspension for a narrowly specified manufacturing line. Consumer products must have their safety compliance demonstrated before sale. Specify vehicle fitment, brake-fluid compatibility and assembly tests. Cambridge China Bridge sources automotive rubber brake hoses.
Brake-hose duty and the specified suspension
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 18 October 2026, heading 4009 covers tubes, pipes and hoses of vulcanised rubber other than hard rubber, with or without fittings. For automotive brake hoses, distinguish textile-only reinforcement from reinforcement combined with other materials, and unfinished hose from fitted assemblies.
The supplied tariff lines carry 2% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no attached import controls recorded. Code 4009 42 00 20 also has a 0.00 % autonomous suspension for the specified brake hose: textile strings, a 3,2 mm wall, pressed metal hollow terminals at both ends and mounting brackets, for manufacturing goods of Chapter 87. Confirm the exact description and suspension footnote with your broker before claiming relief.
Give your broker the reinforcement composition, cross-section drawing, terminal details and intended use to confirm the commodity code. See the wider rubber and hydraulic hose guide for other products in this heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Textile-only reinforced rubber hose, without fittings, other | 4009 31 00 90 | 2% | None |
| Textile-only reinforced rubber hose, with fittings, other | 4009 32 00 90 | 2% | None |
| Specified rubber brake hose with pressed metal terminals and mounting brackets | 4009 42 00 20 | 2% | None |
| Rubber hose reinforced with other materials, with fittings, other | 4009 42 00 90 | 2% | None |
Specify vehicle fitment and brake-fluid compatibility
Specify the vehicle application, fitting position, overall length, thread form, sealing seat, terminal orientation and bracket locations. Agree drawings and a reference assembly, including clearance through steering and suspension movement. State the brake fluid used and ask for compatibility evidence for the inner rubber compound.
Agree pressure, burst, expansion, flexing and ageing tests for the finished brake-hose assembly with a competent laboratory. Ask for reports identifying the actual hose construction and terminals ordered. Official product-safety guidance says products should only be sold once compliance with product safety regulations has been demonstrated appropriately. Use testing and certification support to define the evidence needed.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 20,000 textile-reinforced automotive rubber brake hose assemblies under 4009 32 00 90, invoiced at £60,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £63,000. Duty at 2% is £1,260. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £64,260, so it is £12,852. Import taxes total £14,112; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,260 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fitment: compare length, threads, sealing seats, terminal angles and bracket positions with the approved drawing; check a sample on the intended vehicle through steering and suspension movement.
Crimps: measure ferrule dimensions against the approved assembly specification; inspect terminal security and review recorded pressure-test results for the production batch.
Rubber and bore: inspect for cracks, bubbles, kinks and exposed reinforcement; check bore cleanliness, protective end caps and brake-fluid compatibility reports.
Traceability: match hose markings, carton labels and test reports to the same production batch; retain reference samples and link dispatched stock to customer records.
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What goes wrong
A hose can look correct but have the wrong sealing seat, terminal angle or bracket position. It may leak at the joint or rub against nearby parts after installation. Poor crimps can leak or release the terminal; an unsuitable compound can deteriorate in the specified brake fluid. Quarantine suspect stock and investigate the affected batch before dispatch.
For imported replacement parts, the vehicle-aftermarket safety code places its specified responsibilities on the independent importer when a potential safety defect arises. Keep a complaint log and a way to identify affected batches and customers; agree who will investigate failures with the factory before ordering.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on rubber brake hoses from China?
Normally 2%. Code 4009 42 00 20 has a 0.00 % suspension for the narrowly specified manufacturing hose. The supplied tariff data records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Do all automotive brake hoses qualify for zero duty?
No. The suspension concerns the precise construction and manufacturing use described under 4009 42 00 20. Ask your broker to check the full description and footnote.
What should I send a Chinese brake-hose factory?
Send the vehicle application, approved drawing, reference assembly, brake-fluid specification, terminal and bracket details, and agreed assembly test requirements.
Is a pressure test enough to accept a brake hose?
Use pressure testing alongside fitment, terminal security, fluid compatibility, expansion, flexing and ageing checks. Ask for evidence covering the finished assembly you are buying.