Sourcing friction materials from China
Brake linings and pads, clutch facings and other friction material from China pay 0% UK duty on every line of heading 6813, with no anti-dumping duty. Linings containing asbestos cannot be supplied in the UK, and replacement linings for cars and light vans must be approved to ECE Regulation 90 or type-approved, and marked to match.
Brake linings, pads and friction material from China pay 0% UK duty. The asbestos ban, ECE Regulation 90 approval and friction tests explained.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, heading 6813 covers friction material and articles of it, such as sheets, rolls, strips, segments, discs, washers and pads, not mounted, for brakes, clutches and the like, with a basis of mineral substances or cellulose, whether or not combined with textiles or other materials. All 7 lines carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure and no tariff suspension.
The heading splits linings containing asbestos from those that do not, and within asbestos-free material separates brake linings and pads from other friction material, with separate codes for civil aircraft use. Brake pads and shoes already mounted for motor vehicles are vehicle parts of heading 8708, covered in our automotive aftermarket guide, so confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Containing asbestos (supply banned in the UK) | 6813 20 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Brake linings and pads, asbestos-free | 6813 81 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Friction material under 20 mm thick, unmounted, for making friction components | 6813 89 00 20 | 0% | None |
| Other friction material (clutch facings, sheets, rolls) | 6813 89 00 90 | 0% | None |
Asbestos and brake approval rules
Asbestos fibres and articles containing them are restricted under entry 6 of Annex XVII to UK REACH, and the Road Vehicles (Brake Linings Safety) Regulations 1999 prohibit supplying or fitting brake linings that contain asbestos. A zero duty line for asbestos linings does not make them legal to sell.
The same 1999 Regulations require brake linings supplied for fitting to cars, minibuses and light goods vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes (categories M1, M2 and N1) to be type-approved under the braking devices rules or approved under ECE Regulation 90, and to be marked and packaged as those rules require. Ask the factory for the approval certificate and the marking drawing for each part number.
Specifying friction material
Specify the formulation family (non-asbestos organic, low-metallic or semi-metallic, sintered), the friction coefficient range and its temperature behaviour, wear rate, density and hardness, dimensions and tolerances, chamfers and slots, any shim or backing, the application part numbers, and marking and packaging. For industrial brakes and clutches, state the duty cycle and maximum surface temperature.
Worked duty example
Take a hypothetical order of 10,000 unmounted brake lining segments for industrial drum brakes, entered under 6813 81 00 90: £12,000 free on board plus £900 of freight and insurance gives a customs value of £12,900. Brake lining segments carry no duty, so import VAT of 20% on £12,900, £2,580, is the only tax. A VAT-registered importer normally reclaims it, so the border adds no lasting cost. Step by step: UK import duty and VAT.
Inspection checklist
Approval and composition: check the ECE Regulation 90 approval or type-approval covers the exact part number, check the approval mark on the lining and box, and ask for an asbestos test report from an independent laboratory on the production batch.
Physical tests: measure dimensions and thickness against the drawing, test compressibility to ISO 6310 and, for bonded pads, shear strength to ISO 6312, and check for cracks, delamination and blistering.
Friction performance: compare dynamometer results for friction coefficient and fade against the approved sample, and keep retained samples from each batch.
What goes wrong
Friction orders fail on approval, composition and consistency. Linings are sold with an approval number that belongs to a different part, a batch changes formulation and the friction level drifts, pads crack or separate from the backing, and asbestos turns up in low-cost material.
Match every approval to its part number, test each batch and keep retained samples. See our quality inspection guide.
Cambridge China Bridge sources brake linings and friction material for UK motor factors and industrial brake makers, checking approvals and the factory's test bench first. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on brake linings from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, asbestos-free brake linings and pads under 6813 81 00 90 carried 0% from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
Are Chinese brake pads legal in the UK?
Yes if they are asbestos-free and, for cars and light vans, approved to ECE Regulation 90 or type-approved and marked accordingly.
Are mounted brake pads in heading 6813?
No. Pads and shoes mounted for motor vehicles are vehicle parts in heading 8708.
How do I check for asbestos?
Ask for an independent laboratory test on the production batch, not only a supplier declaration.