Sourcing engine head gaskets from China

UK duty on cylinder head gaskets

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 November 2026, the supplied lines under heading 8484 carried 0% duty for goods from China. Metal combined with other material and multilayer metal head gaskets fall within 8484 10 00 90; packed sets of gaskets of different composition are covered by 8484 90 00 90. The table separates product constructions sharing a code.

The supplied facts show no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls for these gasket lines. This does not remove the asbestos restriction: confirm the REACH requirements described in the published wider guide with HSE or your customs broker. HSE confirms that placing on the market includes import. HSE also states that supplying and fitting asbestos vehicle products is banned.

Confirm the commodity code using the material construction and, for sets, the contents and packaging. A head gasket description alone is insufficient to classify every construction. See the wider gasket and mechanical seal guide for the rest of this heading.

Specify the engine fit and sealing construction

Give the factory the engine designation, application, part reference and drawing revision. Specify bore openings, bolt and locating holes, oil and coolant passages, orientation and compressed thickness. Distinguish the compressed thickness from a measurement of an unused gasket.

Agree the metal and facing materials, layer construction, sealing beads or fire rings, coating and permitted dimensional variation against the approved drawing. Ask for an asbestos-free declaration supported by laboratory testing for fibre or composite materials. Approve a fit sample against the intended cylinder head and block before releasing production.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 20,000 engine cylinder head gaskets, illustrative order only under 8484 10 00 90, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £31,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £31,500, so it is £6,300. 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

Identity: match the engine application, part reference, thickness marking and batch identification to the approved sample and order.

Geometry: compare bore openings, bolt holes, locating features and fluid passages with the drawing; check orientation and fit on the intended mating parts.

Sealing surfaces: inspect beads, fire rings, coatings and layer alignment for dents, scratches, separation or burrs; compare material and test records with the agreed specification.

Arrival condition: check for bent edges, moisture, corrosion and crushed packing. Keep gaskets flat and separate mixed engine variants. Agree pre-shipment checks through quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A gasket can resemble the sample yet suit a different engine revision. Misplaced coolant or oil passages, incorrect compressed thickness and damaged sealing beads can undermine the seal. A broad vehicle compatibility list is a poor substitute for checking the exact engine and drawing.

A declaration alone does not establish that a fibre facing is asbestos-free. Match laboratory evidence to the ordered material and batch. Quarantine gaskets with uncertain material identity, bent layers or damaged sealing surfaces while the supplier investigates; do not approve them solely because the outer dimensions match.

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.