Sourcing excavator steel track shoes from China
Excavator steel track shoes from China carry 0% UK duty across the selected lines, with no listed trade remedy. Classification depends on construction, dimensions and whether the shoes are assembled in a track chain. Solid wood packing must meet the import packaging rules. Cambridge China Bridge sources excavator steel track shoes.
Duty and classification for steel track shoes
Heading 8431 covers parts suitable solely or principally for the machinery described in the heading. For excavator steel track shoes, distinguish cast steel from other construction and loose shoes from shoes assembled in a track chain. The selected rows are the other categories within the tariff's steel-shoe descriptions, which cover shoes with or without attached rubber pads and a maximum length of 3000 mm.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, all selected track-shoe lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, tariff suspension or attached import control for these lines. Import VAT is separate from customs duty.
Give your broker the manufacturing method, drawing, dimensions, weight, grouser profile and assembly state to confirm the commodity code. Dedicated dimensional categories also exist, so do not choose an other line from the product name alone. For shoes supplied with chains, see the excavator track chains guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cast steel track shoes, not assembled, other | 8431 49 20 10 | 0% | None |
| Other steel track shoes, not assembled, other | 8431 49 80 10 | 0% | None |
| Cast steel track shoes assembled in track chains, other | 8431 49 20 29 | 0% | None |
| Other steel track shoes assembled in track chains, other | 8431 49 80 29 | 0% | None |
Specify the shoe and its mounting interface
Send the excavator model, track-chain reference and a controlled drawing. Specify shoe width, plate thickness, grouser profile, bolt-hole diameter and spacing, countersinks, mounting-face shape and tolerances. State whether bolts, nuts and rubber pads are included, and identify the intended ground conditions.
Agree the steel grade, manufacturing method, heat treatment and hardness acceptance criteria. Ask for material certificates and hardness results linked to the production batch. Approve a sample fitted to the intended chain link before releasing production, then keep that sample and drawing as the inspection reference.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 40 replacement steel track shoes, illustrative order under 8431 49 80 10, invoiced at £8,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,200, so it is £1,840. 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 hole spacing, hole diameter, countersinks and mounting-face flatness against the approved drawing. Trial-fit a shoe to the intended chain link.
Material: match batch identification to material certificates and hardness results. Check agreed test locations rather than accepting a general factory hardness claim.
Condition: inspect for cracks, bent plates, damaged grousers, burrs around holes and coating on mating faces. Check rubber-pad attachment where pads are supplied.
Packing: check counts, part references, corrosion protection and restraint against movement. Solid wood packaging used for imports into Great Britain must meet the international phytosanitary packaging standard. Record inspection results using the quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A matching excavator model name can conceal a different chain or bolt pattern. Shoes may arrive with holes that need reworking, mounting faces that do not seat, or a grouser profile unsuitable for the ground. Steel or heat-treatment substitutions can cause rapid wear or cracking. Reject unapproved drawing changes and compare arrival measurements with the approved sample.
Agree fitting instructions, fastener specifications and tightening guidance before ordering. HSE says plant and equipment must be made safe before maintenance starts. Plan shoe replacement accordingly, and keep damaged or suspect shoes out of installation pending assessment.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on excavator steel track shoes from China?
The selected track-shoe lines carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff facts, with no listed trade remedy, suspension or attached import control. Import VAT is separate.
Which commodity code covers loose excavator track shoes?
8431 49 20 10 and 8431 49 80 10 are possible other categories for loose shoes. Construction and dimensional exclusions matter, so have your broker confirm the code from the drawing.
How do I check that replacement track shoes will fit?
Match the chain reference and drawing, measure the bolt pattern and mounting face, and trial-fit an approved sample to the intended chain link.
What documents should I ask the track-shoe factory for?
Ask for the approved drawing, batch-linked material certificates, heat-treatment and hardness results, inspection records, packing list and fitting guidance.