Sourcing concrete block making machines from China
Concrete block making machines and the selected mixers and parts under heading 8474 carry 0% UK duty from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. New powered machinery must meet the applicable essential health and safety requirements. Cambridge China Bridge sources concrete block making machines.
Duty on block making machines and parts
Heading 8474 covers machinery for processing mineral substances and moulding unhardened cement and other mineral products. Concrete block making machines belong within this moulding family. The selected rows also cover concrete mixers and machinery parts that a block producer may order alongside the press.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, all selected lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines.
Confirm the commodity code from the machine's function and the shipment contents. Ask your customs broker to check separately supplied mixers and parts rather than copying the press code onto every item. See crushers and concrete mixers for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other mineral moulding machinery, including concrete block making machines | 8474 80 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Concrete or mortar mixers supplied for block production | 8474 31 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Parts of heading 8474 machinery, of cast iron or cast steel | 8474 90 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other parts of heading 8474 machinery | 8474 90 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the blocks, moulds and production line
Define hollow blocks, solid blocks or paving units using dimensioned drawings. Agree mould cavity layout, pallet dimensions, mix recipe, aggregate grading and the method for measuring acceptable output. State whether the order includes a mixer, feeder, pallet handling, hydraulic unit and control cabinet.
Specify your site electrical supply, foundation arrangement, lifting access and curing workflow. Request a factory trial using a representative mix, recording saleable blocks rather than machine cycles alone. Agree how mould changes, cleaning and replacement wear parts will be handled.
Ask for the exact model's declaration of conformity, CE or UKCA marking details, English instructions and supporting safety documents before shipment. Include guarding, emergency stops and safe access for clearing jams in the acceptance review.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: a concrete block making machine with its agreed mould and pallets under 8474 80 90 00, invoiced at £32,000 free on board, with £6,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £38,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £38,000, so it is £7,600. 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
Moulds and pallets: compare cavity dimensions, tamper alignment, pallet flatness and the supplied tooling with the approved drawings.
Production trial: record output with the agreed mix, inspect fresh blocks for damaged edges and uneven filling, and assess cured samples against the agreed acceptance criteria.
Hydraulics and vibration: check for leaks, loose fasteners, abnormal vibration, overheating and inconsistent compaction during a sustained run.
Arrival and documentation: check transport damage, missing guards, hose connections, tooling and spares against the packing list; match the model identification to the declaration and instructions.
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What goes wrong
A machine can cycle quickly while producing blocks that crumble on demoulding or vary in height. Uneven feed, unsuitable pallets, mould misalignment and inconsistent vibration can undermine the quoted output. Compare saleable production using the agreed mix and handling method.
Missing pallet handling or curing equipment can leave the press waiting between cycles. Unclear mould ownership and spare-part drawings make later changes harder. Record the line boundary, tooling supplied, electrical interfaces and acceptance method in the order, then use quality inspection to check them before loading.
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 concrete block making machines from China?
The selected heading 8474 lines carry 0% duty from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
What safety paperwork should I request?
Ask for the exact model's declaration of conformity, CE or UKCA marking details, English instructions and supporting safety documents. Match them to the machine supplied.
How should I check the claimed block output?
Run the agreed mould and representative mix. Count acceptable blocks, record rejected units and handling interruptions, and assess cured samples against your acceptance criteria.
Does the machine order include everything needed to make blocks?
Check the scope explicitly: mixer, feeder, moulds, pallets, handling equipment, hydraulic unit and controls. Agree foundations, site connections and curing arrangements separately.