Sourcing densified bobbin blanks from China

Duty on densified wood bobbin blanks

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, commodity code 4413 00 00 00 carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. The blank forms shown in the table share this single commodity line.

Heading 4413 covers densified wood in blocks, plates, strips or profile shapes. Confirm the commodity code against the actual material and condition at shipment, especially where blanks have already been bored or turned towards a finished bobbin. See the related textile shuttle blanks guide for wider heading context.

Confirm with the relevant authority whether the timber regulation covers the densified wood and what obligations apply to the importer first placing it on the Great Britain market, including any requirements for species, country of harvest and legality evidence. A due diligence system includes information gathering, risk assessment and, where applicable, risk mitigation. Obtain the supply-chain documents before ordering.

Specify the blank for your bobbin drawing

State whether the factory supplies rectangular stock, profile blanks or partly machined pieces. Provide the finished bobbin drawing alongside the blank drawing, showing the material reserved for turning, boring and end finishing. Agree lamination direction relative to the bobbin axis and bore, rather than accepting whichever orientation gives the factory the best cutting yield.

Specify wood species, resin system, density, moisture condition and bond quality. Explain the yarn contact surfaces, spindle fit and intended operating conditions. Approve a sample after trial turning and boring with your own tooling, checking the bore edge, yarn contact surface and behaviour of the laminations.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 30 cubic metres of densified wood blocks for bobbin blanks under 4413 00 00 00, invoiced at £45,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £47,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £47,500, so it is £9,500. 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 and orientation: measure the blank against its drawing, check machining allowance, and confirm that the laminations run in the agreed direction.

Density and moisture: weigh and measure sample pieces to calculate density, check moisture against the order, and inspect packs for dampness, mould or distortion.

Bonding and machining: turn and bore sample blanks, then inspect for open glue lines, internal voids, edge breakout and splitting around the bore.

Identity and records: match pack labels to the ordered material and production lot, and reconcile species and harvest-origin documents with the shipment. Use the inspection guide to brief the inspector.

What goes wrong

A blank can meet its outside dimensions yet leave insufficient material for the finished bore or flange. Wrong lamination direction, uneven density or weak bonding can reveal themselves only during turning. Damp stock can distort after arrival, while rough yarn contact surfaces can snag fibres.

Approve a machined sample, keep the blank drawing separate from the finished-part drawing, and compare production samples with the approved material. Collect timber records before dispatch so missing species or harvest information does not emerge after arrival. Keep inspection results linked to each production lot.

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.