Sourcing benchtop metal lathes from China
Benchtop metal lathes from China carry 2% UK duty across the relevant manual and numerically controlled lines, with no listed anti-dumping duty. Confirm with the relevant authority the machinery safety requirements, conformity marking, declaration and English instructions needed for supply in Great Britain. Cambridge China Bridge sources benchtop metal lathes.
2% duty on benchtop metal lathes
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 8458 covers lathes, including turning centres, for removing metal. The selected benchtop configurations all carry 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches an import control for fluorinated greenhouse gases to these lines. Confirm the shipment-specific requirement with your customs broker. Ask the factory whether any included cooling equipment contains fluorinated gases. Equipment subject to F-gas rules must comply with applicable product bans.
Benchtop size alone does not identify the tariff line. Check whether the machine is manual, numerically controlled, an automatic lathe or a turning centre, and confirm its commodity code. The wider lathe guide covers other configurations.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizontal benchtop metal lathes, not numerically controlled | 8458 19 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Other numerically controlled horizontal benchtop lathes | 8458 11 80 00 | 2% | None |
| Numerically controlled automatic horizontal bench lathes, single spindle | 8458 11 41 00 | 2% | None |
| Numerically controlled horizontal benchtop turning centres | 8458 11 20 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the spindle, threading and bench mounting
Specify swing over bed and cross slide, distance between centres, spindle bore and nose, chuck mounting, tailstock taper, speed range and supply voltage. State the materials, thread forms and pitches you need to cut. List change gears, steadies, tool post and included tooling. Agree bench mounting, machine weight and lifting arrangements, plus a cutting test using your intended material.
For a lathe supplied in Great Britain, confirm with the relevant authority the applicable essential health and safety requirements under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, and the requirements for a declaration of conformity, English instructions and conformity marking. CE marking remains recognised alongside UKCA. Arrange testing and certification support where needed.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: One numerically controlled benchtop metal lathe, illustrative only under 8458 11 80 00, invoiced at £8,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,200. Duty at 2% is £184. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,384, so it is £1,876.80. Import taxes total £2,060.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £184 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Spindle and alignment: measure spindle and chuck run-out, check tailstock alignment, and compare a turned test piece with the agreed tolerances after mounting the machine.
Feeds and threads: run the carriage and cross slide through their travel, check backlash, and cut the agreed threads using the supplied gears or gearbox.
Guarding and controls: inspect chuck and drive guards, test any interlocks and emergency stop, and check that the controls and supply match the order.
Documents and packing: match the machine identity to the declaration and English manual. Check accessories, mounting points, corrosion protection and transit damage. Use the quality inspection guide to plan checks before shipment and on arrival.
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What goes wrong
A compact footprint can hide an unsuitable spindle bore, limited tool clearance or missing threading gears. A machine may produce a tapered test piece because of alignment or mounting problems. Agree the test material, setup and acceptance tolerances before ordering, then repeat the cutting test on your bench.
Loose accessories can strike the bed during transport, and poorly protected surfaces can rust. Paperwork may describe a different model or omit supplied options. Record machine identity and test results before crating, then check the delivered configuration before putting it into 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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on benchtop metal lathes from China?
The relevant lines carry 2% duty in the supplied tariff data, read on 1 October 2026. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension is listed.
Do benchtop metal lathes need CE or UKCA marking?
For supply in Great Britain, confirm with the relevant authority the applicable machinery safety requirements and whether CE or UKCA marking, a declaration of conformity and English instructions are required.
How do I check a benchtop lathe's accuracy?
Measure spindle run-out and tailstock alignment, then turn and measure an agreed test piece. Repeat after mounting the machine on your bench.
What should I specify for thread cutting?
Name the thread forms and pitches, the work material and the required finish. Confirm the gearbox or change gears supplied, then include those threads in the acceptance test.