Sourcing engine parts from China
Parts for spark-ignition and diesel piston engines from China, such as pistons, cylinder heads, valves, gaskets and carburettors, pay 2% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. Engine parts are bought on the OE part number, the material and the machining tolerance, so the drawing and the first-article inspection decide the order. Cambridge China Bridge sources aftermarket and OEM engine parts.
Parts for petrol and diesel engines pay 2% UK duty from China. Part numbers, materials, casting quality and batch traceability decide the order.
Duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, parts suitable for use solely or principally with spark-ignition engines, and other parts for piston engines including diesel, carried 2% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. Some specific parts have their own ten-digit lines, and parts for aircraft engines are separate.
Parts that are used in several products may classify elsewhere, as fasteners, gaskets or bearings, so confirm the commodity code part by part.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parts for spark-ignition piston engines, other | 8409 91 00 90 | 2% | None |
| Other parts for piston engines (including diesel), other | 8409 99 00 90 | 2% | None |
Part numbers and interchange
Aftermarket engine parts sell on fit: the part has to replace the original exactly. Buy against the original equipment part number and a drawing or a reference sample, and ask the factory for its interchange list. Using a vehicle maker's part number to describe fit is normal; using its trademark on the part or the box is not, so keep branding your own; the automotive aftermarket guide covers the category.
For OEM supply, the drawing, material specification and tolerance class are the contract, and the factory audit should confirm the machining and measuring equipment.
Material and casting quality
Cylinder heads, pistons and manifolds are castings, and porosity is the defect that matters. Ask for the alloy, heat treatment and X-ray or pressure testing of castings, and check critical dimensions on a coordinate measuring machine at first article. Valves and pins need hardness readings.
Keep batch traceability from casting lot to box, so a failure in the field can be traced to a batch.
Inspection and packing
Check dimensions, finish and markings at inspection, and make sure machined surfaces are oiled and protected against corrosion for the sea voyage.
Cambridge China Bridge sources aftermarket and OEM engine parts to drawings and part numbers, with material and inspection records kept by batch. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on engine parts from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, parts for petrol and diesel piston engines carried 2% duty from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
How should aftermarket engine parts be specified?
Against the original equipment part number and a drawing or reference sample, with the factory's interchange list.
Can I use a car maker's brand on replacement parts?
You can cite its part number to describe fit, but not use its trademark on the part or packaging; brand the parts as your own.
What is the main quality risk in cast engine parts?
Porosity. Ask for the alloy, heat treatment and X-ray or pressure test results, and check critical dimensions at first article.