Sourcing feeler gauges from China

UK duty on feeler gauges

Heading 9017 includes hand-held length-measuring instruments; feeler gauges sit within the micrometers, callipers and gauges line, 9017 30 00 00. The table shows different feeler gauge formats sharing that commodity line. For the wider measuring-tool family, see micrometers.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the supplied record gives 2% duty for this line on goods from China. It lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measure, suspension or attached import control for the line.

Confirm the commodity code using the actual product description and construction before shipment. Keep the blade schedule, photographs and intended use with the specification.

Specify the blades and the gap being checked

Specify the complete blade thickness schedule, measurement units, permitted thickness variation, blade length and width, and whether tips are straight, tapered or bent. Choose the material and protective finish for the working environment. State whether each blade needs metric markings, imperial markings or both, and approve their legibility on an actual sample.

Agree the thickness-checking method with the factory, including how blades are cleaned and where readings are taken. A certificate should identify the supplied set or batch and record measured results against your agreed tolerances. Specify pivot tension, blade removal arrangements, protective packaging and any instructions for cleaning and storage.

If the gauges will be sold as consumer products, the UK importer is responsible for making them safe for consumers and following legal labelling requirements. Check blade edges and handling risks as part of the product review.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small-business stock order of assorted feeler gauge sets under 9017 30 00 00, invoiced at £40,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £43,000. Duty at 2% is £860. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £43,860, so it is £8,772. Import taxes total £9,632; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £860 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Thickness: clean sampled blades and measure them with a calibrated micrometer at several positions; compare results with the agreed tolerance and the stamped value.

Blade condition: check for burrs, rust, creases and damaged tips; confirm that blades lie flat and enter the intended gap without snagging.

Set and markings: match every blade against the approved schedule; check unit identification, readable markings and agreement between the case label and its contents.

Pivot and packing: open and close the blades, check retention and adjustment, and inspect protective packing for trapped moisture. Arrange quality inspection around the agreed acceptance criteria.

What goes wrong

A stamped thickness can disagree with the actual blade. Burrs, dried protective oil or corrosion can change how a blade enters a gap, while mixed units or missing leaves make a set unsuitable for the intended job. Check physical thickness and the complete blade schedule rather than accepting the markings as proof.

An over-tight pivot makes thin leaves difficult to select; a loose pivot lets them move during use. Agree handling on the approved sample and inspect delivered sets against it. Keep rejected blades separate from accepted stock so incomplete sets are not packed for sale.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For components and parts, see sourcing for manufacturers.