Sourcing cold pilger mills from China
Cold pilger mills and the selected replacement rolls and parts from China carry 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty listed. For a complete mill supplied in Great Britain, confirm with HSE the applicable machinery safety requirements and UKCA or CE marking route. Cambridge China Bridge sources cold pilger mills.
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Duty on cold pilger mills and replacement rolls
Heading 8455 covers metal-rolling mills and their rolls. For a cold pilger mill that reduces tube over a mandrel, the tube-mill line is the starting point for classification. Replacement rolls and other mill parts have separate lines. The description of other cold rolling mills does not automatically make that line the right choice for a tube mill.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, all selected lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.
Confirm the commodity code using the mill's function, drawings and shipment contents. For replacement rolls, identify the material and manufacturing method. Agree the classification of separately shipped equipment with your customs broker. The wider tube rolling mills guide covers related equipment.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tube mills, including cold pilger mills | 8455 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Open-die forged steel cold-rolling work rolls | 8455 30 39 00 | 0% | None |
| Other rolling-mill rolls | 8455 30 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Other rolling-mill parts | 8455 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the tube, tooling and acceptance trial
Specify the incoming tube alloy, condition, outside diameter and wall thickness, then the finished dimensions, dimensional tolerances, surface finish and straightness. Agree the roll groove and mandrel drawings, feed increment, tube rotation, lubrication and changeover procedure. Define which tooling, handling equipment and replacement parts are included.
Require an acceptance trial using your intended tube material and a representative reduction. Record finished tube dimensions, surface defects, operating settings and sustained output. Agree who installs and integrates the mill and who signs the declaration for the completed machine.
For a complete mill supplied in Great Britain, confirm with HSE the applicable requirements under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, including guarding, emergency stops, a declaration of conformity and UKCA or CE marking. The responsible person must compile the technical file and make it available on request, and provide information for safe operation. Use testing and certification support to review the evidence for the supplied configuration.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 12 replacement forged steel cold-rolling work rolls under 8455 30 39 00, invoiced at £28,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £32,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £32,000, so it is £6,400. 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
Tube trial: measure outside diameter, wall thickness, ovality and straightness against the agreed specification; inspect both surfaces for scoring, cracks and uneven finish.
Tooling: match roll grooves, mandrel profile and mounting dimensions to approved drawings; review material, heat treatment, hardness and agreed ultrasonic inspection records for rolls.
Mechanism: witness feed and rotation synchronisation, carriage travel, lubrication and coolant operation; check vibration, leakage and access for tooling changes.
Arrival: check transit damage, corrosion, tooling identification and packing-list completeness; after installation, repeat the agreed trial and check guards, interlocks, emergency stops and documents.
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What goes wrong
A trial on an easier alloy or a different tube size can hide unsuitable tooling and unstable reduction. Mismatched roll grooves and mandrels, incorrect feed or rotation settings, and poor lubrication can produce uneven wall thickness and scored surfaces. Keep the approved tooling drawings and trial records with the order.
Replacement rolls can fit the mounting while giving the wrong groove profile or hardness. Missing mandrels, undocumented control settings and unavailable wear parts can delay commissioning. Agree the spare-parts drawings, maintenance information and installation responsibilities before shipment.
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 cold pilger mills from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 0% duty for tube mills and the selected rolls and parts from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty listed. Import VAT is normally 20%.
Does a cold pilger mill need UKCA marking?
For a complete mill supplied in Great Britain, confirm with HSE the applicable machinery safety requirements, UKCA or CE marking route and declaration of conformity. Agree responsibility for the completed machine if the order covers only part of a line.
What should a cold pilger mill acceptance trial use?
Use your intended tube alloy and condition, with agreed incoming dimensions and a representative reduction. Record finished dimensions, surface quality, operating settings and sustained output.
Can I order replacement pilger rolls from a sample?
Use the sample alongside approved groove and mounting drawings. Specify material, heat treatment, hardness and inspection criteria, and confirm compatibility with the mandrel and feed settings.