Sourcing continuous casting tundishes from China
Continuous casting tundishes and qualifying parts under heading 8454 carry 0% UK duty from China across the supplied tariff lines. Machinery within scope must meet machinery safety requirements. Confirm the vessel classification and distinguish it from powered equipment. Cambridge China Bridge sources continuous casting tundishes.
Zero duty, with classification to confirm
Heading 8454 covers converters, ladles, ingot moulds, casting machines and their parts for metallurgy or metal foundries. For a continuous casting tundish, establish whether the supplied article is a ladle or a casting-machine part. The table repeats candidate codes for different supply forms; it does not establish separate tariff lines or settle classification.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, all supplied lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions, steel measure or attached import controls. These findings apply to the recorded tariff lines, rather than every item supplied with a tundish.
Give your customs broker the drawings, function, materials and exact supply scope, including whether the vessel is lined and whether powered equipment is included. Confirm the commodity code before shipment. See foundry casting ladles for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlined tundish vessel, if classified as a ladle | 8454 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Tundish shell, if classified as a casting-machine part | 8454 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the tundish and its caster interfaces
State the metal and operating conditions, working capacity, shell material and thickness, outlet arrangement, nozzle seats, support positions, lifting interfaces and clearance to the caster. Provide approved drawings showing the reference points used for dimensional inspection. Agree whether the order includes the cover, flow-control devices, lining and installation hardware.
For a lined vessel, agree the permanent and working lining materials, thicknesses, installation method, drying and preheating instructions, repair procedure and acceptance criteria. Ask for material records and lining inspection records. Keep the vessel specification separate from any powered handling or flow-control assembly.
Ask a compliance adviser to assess the supplied assembly against machinery scope. Where it is machinery within scope, confirm with HSE the applicable essential health and safety requirements, declaration of conformity, marking and English instructions. The responsible person must ensure machinery is safe before placing it on the Great Britain market or putting it into service.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 unlined tundish vessels, assuming classification as ladles under 8454 20 00 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
Fit: measure outlet positions, nozzle seats, supports and lifting interfaces against the approved drawing before shipment and again on arrival.
Shell: check material records, shell thickness, weld inspection records and distortion around supports and attachments.
Lining: check material identity, installation records, cracks, loose areas and moisture protection; obtain the agreed drying and preheating instructions.
Documents and handling: match the vessel identity to drawings and inspection records, inspect transport damage and confirm handling arrangements. Use quality inspection to define the inspection scope.
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What goes wrong
A shell can match its overall dimensions while outlet centres or supports fail to fit the caster. Lining damage, poorly seated nozzles and distorted attachments can leave the vessel unsuitable for the planned installation. Agree interface measurements and acceptance criteria before manufacture, then photograph those checks before packing.
Protect the lining from moisture during transport and storage, and have the plant team review preparation before molten-metal service. UK work-equipment rules place duties on businesses controlling or using the equipment. Agree who will assess the installation and operating risks before commissioning.
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 tundishes from China?
The supplied tariff facts, read on 1 October 2026, show 0% duty across heading 8454, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the exact tundish code.
Which commodity code should I use for a tundish?
Ask your broker to assess the complete vessel against the ladles line and dedicated casting-machine parts against the parts line. Supply drawings and the exact delivery scope.
Does a tundish need machinery conformity documents?
Assess the supplied product against machinery scope. For machinery within scope, confirm with HSE the applicable declaration of conformity, marking and English-instruction requirements. Check the vessel and powered assembly separately.
What should I inspect when the tundish arrives?
Check outlet and support positions, nozzle seats, lifting interfaces, shell distortion, lining damage and moisture protection against the agreed drawings and inspection records.