Sourcing Conveyor Attachment Chains from China

Zero duty on conveyor attachment chains

Heading 7315 covers chain and parts thereof, of iron or steel. Relevant products include roller conveyor chains with attachments, other articulated conveyor chains and separately supplied chain parts. The table shows candidate classifications; use the actual construction and supplied condition to select the line.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 19 October 2026, the listed lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff facts show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, steel measure, suspension or attached import control.

Confirm the commodity code using drawings and a description of the complete chain or separate parts. For the wider product family, see industrial roller chains.

Specify attachment geometry and matched lengths

Send a dimensioned drawing showing chain pitch, roller diameter, inner width, pin dimensions and attachment plate thickness. Define attachment shape, hole positions, mounting height, orientation and spacing along the chain. Include the connecting link and state whether attachments are integral, riveted, bolted or welded.

Describe the conveyed load, speed, operating temperature, washdown exposure and lubrication arrangement. Agree material, heat treatment, surface finish and test acceptance criteria. Where parallel chains carry shared flights, specify matched measured lengths and attachment alignment under the same measuring load.

Assess the intended use before choosing compliance documents. HSE states that the general workplace supply provisions apply where more specific product safety law does not. For chains designed for lifting, confirm with HSE or a compliance adviser whether machinery supply rules apply; ask the supplier to identify any lifting use explicitly.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of matched conveyor attachment chain lengths for replacement stock under 7315 11 90 00, invoiced at £21,000 free on board, with £2,400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £23,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £23,400, so it is £4,680. 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

Dimensions: measure pitch over a length under the agreed load, roller diameter, inner width and attachment hole positions against the approved drawing.

Matched chains: compare measured lengths, attachment spacing and orientation; assemble shared flights to check alignment without forcing the fixings.

Assembly and strength: check pin retention, free articulation and attachment joints; match material, hardness and tensile test records to the batch.

Arrival condition: inspect for corrosion, bent attachments and damaged connecting links; trial-fit samples on the intended sprocket and guide before installation. Agree the inspection scope through quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A chain can match the nominal pitch yet fail to fit because its roller diameter, inner width or attachment offset differs. Incorrect hole spacing prevents flights fitting, reversed attachments obstruct the guides, and unequal parallel-chain lengths skew shared flights. Approve a sample assembly using the actual mounting parts.

Stiff joints, loose pins, cracked attachment welds and inconsistent heat treatment can cause premature wear or failure. Check batch-linked test records and repeat agreed sample tests. Keep approved drawings with the order and use dry, protected packaging so arrival damage is distinguishable from manufacturing defects.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.