Sourcing cast iron counterweights from China
Cast iron counterweights classified in the relevant other-cast-iron lines of heading 7325 pay 0% UK customs duty from China, with no listed anti-dumping duty on those lines. Suppliers remain responsible for meeting their applicable legal obligations. Cambridge China Bridge sources cast iron counterweights.
Counterweight duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 19 October 2026, heading 7325 covers other cast articles of iron or steel. For counterweights within this heading, the candidate lines are 7325 10 00 99 for other non-malleable cast iron articles and 7325 99 10 90 for other cast iron articles. The table repeats these candidate codes for block and plate forms.
Both candidate lines carry 0% ordinary duty for goods from China and no listed anti-dumping duty. The heading also includes ground-system covers carrying 38.10 % residual anti-dumping duty; those are different products. See the wider cast iron covers and castings guide.
Confirm the classification using the material, drawing, intended use and equipment application before ordering. Do not assume that every machine-specific counterweight belongs in this heading. Use finding your commodity code and ask your customs broker to check the proposed line.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grey cast iron counterweight blocks | 7325 10 00 99 | 0% | None |
| Ductile cast iron counterweight blocks | 7325 99 10 90 | 0% | None |
Specify mass, centre of gravity and mounting
Specify the iron grade, finished mass and permitted mass variation for each part. Define the centre of gravity where balance depends on its position. Provide a drawing showing the envelope, mounting faces, hole positions, threads, slots and clearance around neighbouring components. State whether the ordered mass includes coating and fitted inserts.
Agree which faces are machined, the coating system and how parts will be restrained during transport. Ask for material records linked to the casting batch and approve a sample fitted to the intended assembly. Businesses supplying products remain responsible for meeting their applicable legal obligations; agree a compliance review for the intended application before approving production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 grey cast iron counterweight blocks; FOB and freight values are illustrative, not a quotation. under 7325 10 00 99, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £34,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £34,000, so it is £6,800. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Mass and balance: weigh sampled finished parts on a checked scale against the drawing; verify centre of gravity where specified.
Fit: measure mounting faces, hole positions and threads, then trial-fit the part or use an agreed fixture.
Casting condition: inspect for cracks, chipped corners, exposed cavities and repaired areas, especially around mounting holes and thin sections.
Coating and packing: check coating coverage, protected machined faces, batch identification and restraints. Repeat damage and mass checks on arrival using the agreed inspection checklist.
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What goes wrong
A casting can meet its outer dimensions yet miss its ordered mass because of internal cavities or an unapproved drawing change. Filling a cavity or adding hidden material can bring the weight back without restoring the agreed material or balance. Ask the foundry to disclose repairs and approve their acceptance criteria before production.
Coating can hide cracks, while poorly positioned holes or uneven mounting faces prevent assembly. Dense castings can also break their packing and damage adjacent parts in transit. Record arrival damage before unpacking further, keep suspect batches separate and compare them with the approved sample.
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 cast iron counterweights from China?
The candidate lines 7325 10 00 99 and 7325 99 10 90 carry 0% ordinary duty and no listed anti-dumping duty. Confirm that your counterweight belongs in the selected line.
Should I order grey iron or ductile iron counterweights?
Use the grade specified by the equipment designer. Mass alone does not establish suitability: mounting stresses, handling damage and the casting geometry also matter.
How do I check a counterweight shipment?
Weigh finished samples, measure mounting details, trial-fit parts and inspect for cracks, cavities and transport damage. Compare the results with the drawing and approved sample.
Can the factory repair an underweight counterweight?
Require disclosure and written approval before accepting a repair. Recheck finished mass, balance, mounting fit and the agreed material condition rather than accepting weight alone.