Sourcing depth micrometers from China
Depth micrometers from China carry 2% UK duty; dedicated parts also carry 2%. Workshop micrometers are not regulated in the same way as trade-use measuring tapes. Specify base flatness, rod accuracy and calibration evidence before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources depth micrometers.
UK duty on depth micrometers
Heading 9017 includes hand-held instruments for measuring length. Depth micrometers sit within 9017 30 00 00, micrometers, callipers and gauges. Dedicated parts and accessories have a separate line. The table distinguishes buying configurations sharing the same code; it does not imply separate tariff classifications.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, depth micrometers and the listed parts carried 2% duty on goods from China. The supplied tariff records list no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. The wider heading ranges from 0% to 2%, but its duty-free plotter lines do not describe depth micrometers.
Confirm the commodity code using the complete product description, especially for separately shipped rods and accessories. See the wider micrometers guide for other micrometer types.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical depth micrometers with fixed measuring rods | 9017 30 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Dedicated replacement rods and accessories for depth micrometers | 9017 90 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the base, rods and measurement method
For mechanical depth micrometers, agree the measuring range, graduation, permitted indication error and repeatability. Specify base length and width, reference-face flatness, rod-end shape, measuring force, spindle lock and adjustment method. Send a drawing of the recess or shoulder being measured so the factory can check whether the base bridges the opening and the rod reaches the measuring surface.
For interchangeable-rod sets, agree rod identification, adjustment records and checks after each rod change. Request calibration results tied to the instrument serial number and identifying the rods tested. Agree protective storage that keeps the reference face and rod ends apart during transport.
HSE states that work equipment includes tools used at work. Its work-equipment rules place responsibilities on businesses whose employees use that equipment. If you also sell these tools as consumer products, do not sell products you know, or should have known, are unsafe.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small-business batch of mechanical depth micrometer sets under 9017 30 00 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £860 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,860. Duty at 2% is £77.20. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,937.20, so it is £787.44. Import taxes total £864.64; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £77.20 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Reference base: check the contact face for burrs, corrosion and rocking on a clean reference surface. Confirm that the base sits securely across the intended opening.
Measurement: compare sampled instruments with calibrated depth references across the agreed range. Record indication error and repeatability, including results after changing rods.
Mechanism: check smooth spindle travel, consistent measuring force and whether applying the lock changes the reading. Check that each rod seats securely.
Records and packing: match serial numbers and rod identification to calibration results. Check adjustment instructions, legible graduations and protection of measuring faces. Agree the sampling plan through quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A depth micrometer can return to zero yet give incorrect results with an extension rod fitted. Poor rod seating, mixed adjustment settings, a burred base or a damaged rod end can change the reading. Test the assembled combinations rather than accepting a certificate for the head alone.
A base that is too narrow can tilt into the opening, while excessive measuring force can distort a thin workpiece. Approve samples on your actual component or a representative fixture, and retain the accepted instrument and inspection results as references for later deliveries.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For components and parts, see sourcing for manufacturers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on depth micrometers from China?
The supplied tariff records show 2% under 9017 30 00 00, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Dedicated parts under 9017 90 00 00 also carry 2%.
Does a depth micrometer need the same approval as a trade measuring tape?
Confirm with the relevant authority which requirements apply to workshop micrometers and whether they differ from those for trade-use tapes. Specify the intended use and agree calibration evidence separately.
What should a depth micrometer calibration report cover?
Ask for the instrument serial number, rods tested, reference equipment, test conditions and measured errors across the agreed range. A report covering only the head does not verify every rod combination.
How do I check interchangeable depth micrometer rods?
Check identification, seating and adjustment, then compare each assembled combination with calibrated depth references. Repeat checks after removing and refitting the rod.