Sourcing bicycle spokes from China
Bicycle spokes from China carry UK duty of 0% to 4%: the normal rate is 4%, while a narrowly defined suspension gives qualifying spokes zero duty. Consumer products sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Specify length, head geometry and nipple fit. Cambridge China Bridge sources bicycle spokes.
Bicycle spoke duty and suspension conditions
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 8714 covers vehicle parts and accessories. Bicycle spokes fall under 8714 92 90 00, normally at 4% for goods from China. The supplied record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty for spokes. The table describes purchasing variants sharing this tariff line. For the related rim branch, see bicycle wheel rims.
The recorded suspension is 0.00% only for spokes with length from 5.3cm to 26.5cm inclusive, width 0.1cm, depth 0.1cm and weight 0.001kg, for bicycle manufacture. It excludes mixtures, preparations or products made up of different components containing these products. Match every condition before claiming relief; an ordinary spoke order does not automatically qualify.
The tariff also lists a cultural-object export licence measure. Official guidance concerns exports from Great Britain to destinations outside the UK; ask your customs broker to confirm its relevance if exporting onward. Confirm classification and any suspension using finding your commodity code, with drawings, dimensions, weight and intended use.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bicycle spokes, uniform thickness | 8714 92 90 00 | 4% | None |
Specify spoke length, head and nipple fit
Specify material, finish, length and its measurement method, shaft profile, head geometry, elbow shape where present, and thread dimensions. Identify the intended hub and rim combination. State whether nipples are supplied and fix their material, thread and seat shape separately.
For consumer-use spokes sold in Great Britain, general product safety rules apply to products intended or reasonably likely to be used by consumers. Consumer products must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Agree mechanical and fatigue checks appropriate to the intended wheel, and retain results identifying the supplied design and material.
Approve samples in the intended hub, rim and nipple combination before production. Agree permissible dimensional variation, assembly checks, mechanical acceptance criteria and separate packaging for each length. Keep an approved sample and drawing so material or geometry changes can be identified.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative workshop stock order of bicycle spokes, without suspension relief under 8714 92 90 00, invoiced at £5,000 free on board, with £500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,500. Duty at 4% is £220. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,720, so it is £1,144. Import taxes total £1,364; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £220 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Dimensions: measure sampled lengths using the agreed method; check shaft profile, head, elbow and thread against the drawing.
Assembly: fit samples to the intended hub and nipples; check seating, thread engagement and adjustment without binding.
Condition: inspect for cracks, burrs, bent shafts, damaged threads and uneven finish; compare material records with the order.
Arrival: check moisture damage, mixed lengths, pack counts and batch identification before putting stock into use. Agree records through quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
Similar-looking spokes can have different lengths, elbows or threads. Mixed packs interrupt wheel building, while incorrect head geometry or nipple fit can prevent proper seating and adjustment. Check fit as well as appearance, and keep each length identifiable after the outer carton is opened.
A polished sample does not establish the material or fatigue performance of the production batch. Ask for records tied to the supplied batch and investigate unexplained substitutions. When budgeting, use the normal duty unless the suspension conditions have been checked for the actual spokes.
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 bicycle spokes from China?
Normally 4% under 8714 92 90 00. The supplied tariff records a conditional 0.00% suspension for narrowly specified spokes used in bicycle manufacture, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Do all bicycle spokes qualify for zero duty?
No. The recorded suspension specifies length, width, depth, weight and use in bicycle manufacture. Ask your customs broker to check the actual product against every condition before claiming it.
What should I specify when ordering replacement spokes?
Specify length and measurement method, material, shaft profile, head and elbow geometry, thread and nipple fit. Approve samples against the intended hub and rim.
What should I check when bicycle spokes arrive?
Check pack identity, lengths, threads, head geometry, finish and transit damage. Trial-fit samples with the intended hub and nipples, and keep batch records.