Sourcing carbide masonry blades from China

Duty on carbide-tipped masonry blades

Heading 8202 covers handsaws and saw blades. Within this heading, carbide-tipped circular masonry blades fall under 8202 39 00 00; other masonry saw blades can fall under 8202 99 80 00. The table shows product variants sharing these codes, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, both relevant lines carried 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension, steel measure or attached import control for either line.

Confirm the blade form, working material and intended use against the commodity code guide. The circular wood-cutting saw blade guide covers the wider heading's woodworking products. For the illustrative order, see the import duty and VAT calculation method.

Specify the masonry and the machine

Name the material to be cut, such as aerated concrete or a particular brick, and send representative samples. Specify the carbide grade, tooth geometry, tooth attachment, body material and intended cutting method. Approve a cutting sample on the named material before accepting a general claim that a blade cuts masonry.

For circular blades, agree diameter, bore, body thickness, cutting width, tooth count and maximum operating speed. For reciprocating blades, agree length, thickness, tooth spacing and mounting profile. Check the blade against the intended machine and retain the approved drawing and sample.

For blades supplied for use at work, safety obligations include safe-use information and necessary testing or examination. Consumer blades sold in Great Britain must also be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Agree material limitations, fitting instructions and warnings with the supplier, and arrange testing and certification support where needed.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 3,000 carbide-tipped masonry circular saw blades under 8202 39 00 00, invoiced at £35,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £37,000. Duty at 2% is £740. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £37,740, so it is £7,548. Import taxes total £8,288; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £740 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Fit and dimensions: measure against the drawing; check circular bore fit, flatness and runout, or reciprocating mounting fit and straightness.

Teeth and joints: inspect for chipped carbide, missing teeth and uneven brazing; test tooth attachment on samples against the agreed acceptance criteria.

Cutting performance: cut the approved masonry material with the intended machine; compare cutting progress, tooth wear, vibration and edge damage with the approved sample.

Marking and packing: check circular blade speed and dimensions, material-use labels and instructions; inspect tooth protection and carton damage on arrival. Use the quality inspection guide to prepare the inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A blade approved on aerated concrete may disappoint on a different masonry material. Unclear material claims make sample results hard to repeat. Poor brazing can release carbide teeth, while body distortion or an incorrect bore can cause vibration and wandering cuts.

Keep the material and machine combination fixed during approval and shipment testing. Investigate chipped teeth, uneven joints or excessive vibration before releasing a batch. Inspect arrival stock for bent bodies, corrosion and teeth damaged through inadequate packing.

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.