Sourcing CNC machine vices from China
CNC machine vices from China carry 0% UK duty under the relevant work-holder line of heading 8466. Suppliers must provide safe and compliant products with the correct documentation. Agree mounting dimensions, jaw accuracy and clamping tests before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources CNC machine vices.
Zero duty on CNC machine vices
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 16 October 2026, heading 8466 covers machine-tool parts and accessories, including work holders. The other work-holder line, 8466 20 98 00, is the starting point for milling-machine vices. Application-specific fixtures, dividing attachments and separately imported parts need their own classification. The table includes related fixture and accessory lines, rather than treating every item as a complete vice. For coolant accessories, see our guide to sourcing machine-tool coolant nozzles.
The listed lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures or suspensions recorded. The work-holder and dividing-attachment lines have no attached import controls in the supplied tariff data. The parts line 8466 93 60 00 carries a fluorinated greenhouse gas import control. For vice spares declared there, ask your customs broker to confirm the requirement and applicable declaration evidence.
Confirm the commodity code from drawings, operating method, intended machine and whether the shipment contains complete vices or separate parts. For the wider product family, see machine tool holders and accessories.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machine vices for CNC milling machines | 8466 20 98 00 | 0% | None |
| Application-specific vice fixtures and standard fixture component sets | 8466 20 20 00 | 0% | None |
| Dividing heads and special machine attachments used with vice setups | 8466 30 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other milling-machine parts and accessories, subject to classification | 8466 93 60 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the jaws, mounting and clamping method
State jaw width, opening, jaw height, body material, replaceable jaw arrangement and mounting-slot positions. Provide the machine-table or pallet drawing and check access for tightening bolts. Agree base flatness, jaw parallelism, jaw lift under load and repeatability against the supplier's stated tolerances, with the test method written into the order. For lathe workholding, see our lathe chuck sourcing guide. For rotary-table setups, see our machine-tool rotary tables sourcing guide.
Distinguish screw-operated, self-centring and powered designs. For hydraulic versions, agree operating pressure, connection type, seals and a clamping-force test at the stated pressure. Automatic vices can affect the machine's conformity, so ask the machine builder or safety adviser to confirm compatibility.
Request operating, mounting and maintenance instructions for the exact vice supplied, including tightening guidance and permitted operating conditions.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 compact screw-operated CNC machine vices; illustrative FOB and freight values under 8466 20 98 00, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £24,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £24,900, so it is £4,980. 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
Mounting: check the base, locating faces, slots and supplied bolts against the approved drawing; confirm that the vice seats without rocking.
Jaw accuracy: measure parallelism and jaw lift with a dial indicator against the agreed tolerances; repeat the clamping test using the same test piece and operating conditions.
Clamping: check screw travel, backlash and jaw movement; test powered models for clamping force and leakage against the supplier's agreed procedure.
Condition and records: inspect jaws, threads and ground faces for burrs, rust and transit damage; match the accuracy report, instructions and supplied accessories to the delivered model.
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What goes wrong
A vice can match the advertised jaw width yet fail to fit the machine table. Incorrect slot positions, inaccessible bolts or an unsuitable body height can prevent the planned setup. Approve a dimensioned drawing and test a sample on the intended mounting arrangement before accepting the batch.
Jaw lift, poor parallelism and inconsistent clamping can move the workpiece and spoil machining accuracy. Check performance under clamping load rather than accepting an unloaded measurement alone. Agree how failed units will be identified and corrected, and arrange quality inspection against those checks.
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 CNC machine vices from China?
The supplied tariff data shows 0% duty for work holders under 8466 20 98 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded.
Which commodity code applies to a CNC milling vice?
Start with 8466 20 98 00 for other work holders. Confirm the complete specification with your customs broker; dedicated fixtures and separately imported parts may use different lines.
What accuracy checks should I ask the factory for?
Ask for base flatness, jaw parallelism, jaw lift under load and repeatability results against agreed tolerances. Specify the test piece, measuring method and clamping conditions.
Can I fit an automatic vice to my existing CNC machine?
Ask the machine builder or safety adviser to confirm compatibility. Agree mounting, connections and operating conditions; automatic vices can affect the machine's conformity.