Sourcing dust filter cartridges from China
Dust collector filter cartridges and related apparatus under heading 8421 carry 0% UK duty across the supplied tariff lines. Employers must keep workplace extraction working properly. Specify the cartridge fit, media and operating conditions before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources dust collector filter cartridges.
UK duty on dust collector filter cartridges
Heading 8421 covers centrifuges and filtering or purifying machinery for liquids or gases, plus their parts. Many replacement dust collector cartridges fall under 8421 99 90 99; complete air filtration apparatus falls under 8421 39 25 90. The specialist housing and parts rows apply only where their tariff descriptions match, rather than to ordinary replacement cartridges.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, every supplied line carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied facts record no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. Import VAT at 20% still applies; see import duty and VAT.
Confirm the commodity code using the drawing, materials and whether the shipment contains replacement parts or complete apparatus. Loose filter media can fall elsewhere. For the wider dust filtration family, see industrial dust collector filter bags.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other filtering machinery parts, including many replacement dust filter cartridges | 8421 99 90 99 | 0% | None |
| Air filtering apparatus, including complete cartridge dust filtration units | 8421 39 25 90 | 0% | None |
| Specialist gas filters with stainless steel housing and small tube bores | 8421 39 15 00 | 0% | None |
| Parts of the specialist small-bore stainless steel gas filtering apparatus | 8421 99 10 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the cartridge, seal and cleaning method
Supply the collector model, reference cartridge and dimensioned drawing. Fix overall length, outside and inside diameters, mounting flange or thread, open or closed ends, gasket profile and seal material. Specify pleated media composition, surface treatment, support cage and end-cap bonding. Describe the dust, moisture, operating temperature and pulse-cleaning method so the factory can propose a suitable construction.
Ask for filtration and pressure-drop results for the exact cartridge construction under agreed test conditions. Agree how material substitutions will be approved and how batches will be identified. Employers must keep workplace extraction working properly, so confirm the replacement with the person responsible for the system rather than accepting a catalogue cross-reference alone.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 40 replacement dust collector filter cartridges; illustrative order, not a quote under 8421 99 90 99, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,000, so it is £1,200. 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 sampled cartridges against the drawing and trial-fit them in the intended mounting arrangement, checking gasket compression and closure.
Construction: inspect pleat spacing, tears, crushed folds, support cage condition, end-cap bonds and continuous seals.
Performance: compare sampled filtration and pressure-drop results with the agreed specification and check that reports identify the supplied media and construction.
Arrival: check for wet cartons, distorted end caps and transport damage; reconcile cartridge and batch labels with the packing list. Use the same checks before dispatch through quality inspection.
What goes wrong
A cartridge can match the outside dimensions yet leak around a different gasket profile or end-cap arrangement. Closely packed pleats, changed media or weak bonding can also compromise cleaning and airflow. Approve a fitted sample and record its construction before releasing the production order.
A media test report does not demonstrate the performance of a finished cartridge with its seals and joints. Keep reports tied to the supplied construction, and investigate dust bypass or unexpected pressure drop before accepting repeat batches.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on dust collector filter cartridges from China?
The supplied tariff lines carry 0% duty, including other filtering machinery parts under 8421 99 90 99. No trade remedies are recorded. Import VAT at 20% still applies.
Which commodity code covers replacement dust filter cartridges?
Many replacement cartridges fall under 8421 99 90 99. Confirm from their construction and function; complete air filtration apparatus and loose media can require different codes.
What measurements does a Chinese cartridge factory need?
Provide a drawing showing length, inside and outside diameters, mounting details, end-cap arrangement and gasket profile, together with the collector model and a reference sample.
How do I check a replacement cartridge before ordering?
Trial-fit a sample, check gasket compression and end-cap bonds, and obtain filtration and pressure-drop results for the proposed construction under agreed conditions.