Sourcing Cordless Drills from China
Cordless drills from China carry 2% UK duty under 8467 21 10 00. The wider heading ranges from 0% to 2%. For supply in Great Britain, check machinery safety, conformity marking, the declaration and English instructions for the exact model and supplied configuration. Cambridge China Bridge sources cordless drills.
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UK duty on cordless drills
Heading 8467 covers hand-held pneumatic, hydraulic and motor-driven tools. Cordless electric drills capable of operating without an external power source fall under 8467 21 10 00. The table shows buying configurations sharing this code, rather than separate tariff lines. See the wider hand-held power tools guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 December 2026, the cordless-drill line carries 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls for this line.
Confirm the drilling function, power source and contents of the consignment before declaring it. Do not automatically apply the drill code to separately imported batteries, chargers or accessories. Use finding your commodity code to check the classification.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cordless drill-drivers supplied without batteries | 8467 21 10 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the drilling task and battery platform
Specify the material, hole size, screw type, chuck capacity, speed ranges, clutch behaviour and whether percussion is needed. State whether the order is for bare tools or kits. Identify the battery platform, pack specification, charger, UK plug and replacement-pack availability. Agree the supplied accessories and spare chucks.
Approve a sample by drilling and driving into the intended material with the specified bits and battery. Compare completed work per charge, chuck grip, trigger control, gearbox selection and heat during repeated work. Record acceptance criteria against the approved sample.
For Great Britain, obtain the exact model's declaration of conformity, English instructions, conformity marking and supporting technical evidence. Machinery marking may follow the CE or UKCA route, with the applicable conformity requirements met. Check electrical and electromagnetic compatibility obligations for the supplied configuration. Importers must be able to evidence compliance with hazardous-substance restrictions.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 52 cordless drill-driver kits; FOB and freight values are illustrative under 8467 21 10 00, invoiced at £2,025 free on board, with £468 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,493. Duty at 2% is £49.86. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,542.86, so it is £508.57. Import taxes total £558.43; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £49.86 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity and documents: match the drill, battery and charger models to the order and supporting documents; check conformity marking and English instructions.
Chuck and transmission: check bit retention, visible wobble, clutch repeatability, forward and reverse operation, and gear engagement under the agreed drilling task.
Battery and charging: check pack fit, latch retention, contacts, charging behaviour and runtime against the approved sample; record unexpected heating or cut-outs.
Contents and condition: check the specified plug, charger, packs, case and accessories; inspect housings and battery mounts for transit damage.
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What goes wrong
A matching battery connector can hide incompatible packs or charging behaviour. Advertised torque can also conceal weak loaded performance, a slipping chuck or inconsistent clutch action. Freeze the approved drill, pack and charger combination in the order, and compare arrival samples with it.
A drill-body report does not establish the suitability of a substituted charger or battery. Supplied packs bring battery obligations; establish their category and registration route. Electrical equipment producers must register annually. Battery registration depends on battery type and the amount placed on the market. Resolve documentation gaps before offering stock for sale.
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 cordless drills from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 2% under 8467 21 10 00, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls.
Do cordless drills need UKCA marking?
For machinery supplied in Great Britain, CE or UKCA marking can be used where the applicable conformity requirements are met. Obtain the exact model's declaration and English instructions.
How do I check a supplier's torque claim?
Agree a repeatable drilling and screwdriving task using the intended material, bits and battery. Compare loaded performance, clutch behaviour and chuck grip with the approved sample.
Does a drill kit avoid battery producer responsibilities?
No. Supplied batteries bring battery obligations. Establish the battery category and registration route; registration depends on battery type and the amount placed on the market.