Sourcing centrifugal fan impellers from China
The selected fan assembly and complete centrifugal fan lines carry 2% UK duty from China. A loose impeller needs its own classification check; the supplied tariff extract does not establish a general impeller code. Assess safety changes when fitting replacements. Cambridge China Bridge sources centrifugal fan impellers.
Duty and the distinction between parts and fans
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, the selected lines under heading 8414 carry 2% duty for goods from China. They show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. The heading covers fans and their parts alongside pumps, compressors and other equipment.
The table distinguishes a narrowly described fan assembly from complete centrifugal fans. It is not a list of interchangeable loose-impeller codes. The assembly line requires aluminium-magnesium alloy, the specified dimensions and construction, and use in motor manufacture. The supplied extract does not contain a general residual fan-parts line, so it cannot settle the code for an ordinary replacement impeller.
Give your customs broker the drawing, material, intended equipment and details of everything supplied together. Confirm the commodity code before ordering. For complete equipment and the wider category, see industrial air blowers.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium-magnesium fan assemblies for motor manufacture, specified type | 8414 90 00 15 | 2% | None |
| Other complete centrifugal fans, rather than loose impellers | 8414 59 35 90 | 2% | None |
| Complete centrifugal blowers for vehicle battery module cooling | 8414 59 35 40 | 2% | None |
| Complete direct-current centrifugal fans meeting the specified description | 8414 59 35 50 | 2% | None |
Specify the wheel, hub and operating duty
State whether the blades are forward-curved, backward-curved or radial. Supply a controlled drawing showing outside diameter, width, inlet opening, backplate, hub, bore, keyway and mounting features. Define rotation as viewed from a named side. Specify alloy or steel grade, thickness, weld construction, coating and the mating shaft fit.
Agree operating speed, temperature, air conditions, balancing acceptance and the test arrangement. Ask for balance records traceable to the supplied wheels. For replacement work, HSE says changes to machinery design, function or safety must be assessed. Have the equipment designer review changes in blade geometry, material or operating speed before installation.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of 40 fan assemblies meeting this line's full description under 8414 90 00 15, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,900. Duty at 2% is £138. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,038, so it is £1,407.60. Import taxes total £1,545.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £138 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Geometry: measure blade profile, wheel diameter, width, bore and keyway against the approved drawing; check rotation and trial-fit the hub to a representative shaft.
Construction: compare material records with the order; examine welds, blade roots and backplates for cracks, distortion, sharp edges and coating defects.
Balance: match each available balancing record to the wheel identification and agreed test conditions. Check run-out and use a guarded assembly for any agreed running test.
Arrival: check for bent blades, displaced balance weights, hub corrosion and packing contact marks before installation. Record damage and keep affected wheels separate. See quality inspection.
What goes wrong
A wheel can fit the shaft yet perform poorly because its blade angle, inlet opening or rotation differs from the approved design. Bore errors cause difficult assembly or movement on the shaft; distorted backplates and damaged balance weights can cause vibration. Approve the drawing and a fitted sample rather than relying on catalogue photographs.
Packing that loads the blade tips can distort an otherwise acceptable wheel. Support the hub or backplate and keep wheels from touching each other. Agree how dimensional, balance and transit defects will be recorded and resolved before shipment.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on centrifugal fan impellers from China?
The selected fan assembly and complete centrifugal fan lines carry 2%. The supplied extract does not establish the code for a general loose impeller; confirm its classification before applying that rate.
Can I use the complete centrifugal fan code for a loose impeller?
Do not assume so. The extract distinguishes fan parts from complete fans. Give your broker the drawing, intended use and contents of the shipment.
What should I ask for in an impeller balancing report?
Ask for wheel identification, the balancing method, test conditions, measured results and acceptance against your agreed specification.
Can I change the blade design of a replacement impeller?
Have the equipment designer review the change. HSE says changes to machinery design, function or safety must be assessed; matching the shaft bore alone does not establish suitability.