Sourcing facing and centring lathes from China
Facing and centring lathes from China under heading 8458 carry 2% UK duty across the relevant lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty shown. Machinery supply rules apply: check safety, conformity paperwork and English instructions before shipment. Cambridge China Bridge sources facing and centring lathes.
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2% duty on facing and centring lathes
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 8458 covers lathes, including turning centres, for removing metal. Facing and centring lathes within this heading carry 2% duty from China. The supplied tariff data shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. The table gives classification candidates according to machine orientation and numerical control.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches an import control for fluorinated greenhouse gases to these lines. Ask whether any spindle or coolant refrigeration package contains refrigerant, and obtain its type and charge. Imported fluorinated-gas equipment must be labelled correctly. The importer should confirm the applicable control and customs document requirement with their customs broker before shipment.
Confirm the commodity code using the machine drawings, operating cycle, orientation and control specification. Describe whether the workpiece or cutting tools rotate, rather than relying on the supplier's product name. For the wider heading, see our lathes and turning centres guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other numerically controlled horizontal lathes | 8458 11 80 00 | 2% | None |
| Horizontal lathes, not numerically controlled | 8458 19 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Other numerically controlled non-horizontal lathes | 8458 91 80 00 | 2% | None |
| Non-horizontal lathes, not numerically controlled | 8458 99 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the shaft, end faces and centre holes
Provide a shaft drawing, material and incoming blank condition. Specify the workpiece length and diameter range, stock removed from each end, finished length tolerance, face squareness and surface finish. Define the centre-hole profile, depth and alignment needed for subsequent turning or grinding. Agree whether opposing heads work together or the shaft is repositioned, and identify the clamping datum.
Specify spindle speeds, feeds, tooling, jaw sets, loading method, chip removal, coolant filtration, control system and electrical supply. For a lathe supplied in Great Britain, confirm the applicable machinery safety requirements, declaration of conformity, accepted marking and English instructions with the relevant authority. CE marking remains recognised in Great Britain. Match the paperwork to the actual machine and use testing and certification support where needed.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 numerically controlled horizontal facing and centring lathes under 8458 11 80 00, invoiced at £150,000 free on board, with £9,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £159,000. Duty at 2% is £3,180. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £162,180, so it is £32,436. Import taxes total £35,616; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £3,180 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Test shafts: run the agreed material and blank sizes, then measure finished length, face squareness, surface finish and centre-hole geometry against the drawing.
Clamping and alignment: check jaw seating, clamp marks, repeat positioning and alignment between opposing heads. Check that the centre holes provide the agreed datum for the next machining operation.
Safety and documents: test guards, interlocks and emergency stops. Match the declaration, machine identification and English manual to the delivered configuration.
Arrival: inspect the heads, slides and fixtures for transit damage. Level the machine and repeat the agreed cutting test after installation. Plan these checks with our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A machine can produce clean end faces while leaving centre holes misaligned, or hold finished length on a sample but vary when the blank diameter changes. Clamping on an unsuitable surface can shift the datum or mark the shaft. Agree acceptance on your actual blanks and measure the features needed by the next operation.
Chip build-up around the jaws can change seating, while mismatched tooling can leave burrs or damage centre holes. Transit movement and poor levelling can disturb alignment. Record the factory test, protect the heads and fixtures for shipping, and agree how failed arrival tests will be resolved before paying the balance.
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 facing and centring lathes from China?
The relevant lines under heading 8458 carry 2% duty from China.
Which commodity code applies to a facing and centring lathe?
Confirm it from the machine's operating principle, orientation and numerical control. The table gives candidate lines; the supplier's product name alone is insufficient.
Can a facing and centring lathe be CE marked for Great Britain?
Yes. CE marking remains recognised in Great Britain. Check machinery safety compliance, the declaration of conformity and English instructions for the actual machine.
How do I check centre-hole accuracy before shipment?
Run your shaft blanks and measure centre-hole geometry and alignment against the drawing. Check finished length and face squareness, then repeat the agreed test after installation.