Sourcing fertiliser spreaders from China

Duty on fertiliser spreaders

Heading 8432 covers agricultural, horticultural and forestry machinery for soil preparation or cultivation, and lawn or sports-ground rollers. Fertiliser distributors fall under 8432 42 00 00. The table shows different spreader configurations sharing that code, plus the parts line; these are not separate tariff subdivisions.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 18 October 2026, fertiliser distributors and the parts line carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.

Confirm the commodity code from the machine's function, drive arrangement and whether the shipment contains complete machines or parts. Do not assume every separately supplied gearbox or shaft belongs in the parts line. For other equipment in this heading, see cultivators and farm machinery.

Hopper, drive and spreading specification

Specify mounted or trailed construction, hopper capacity and material, fertiliser granule characteristics, intended application rate and working width. Agree hitch dimensions, loaded weight, drive arrangement, outlet adjustment, agitator design and boundary spreading needs. Ask for calibration instructions using the fertiliser you intend to spread.

Confirm the applicable machinery safety rules, drive shaft guarding, declaration of conformity and UKCA or CE marking requirements for Great Britain with the relevant authority. The responsible person must ensure that the technical file is compiled and available on request. Match the paperwork to the production model and arrange testing and certification checks before shipment.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 60 compact wheel-driven fertiliser spreaders under 8432 42 00 00, invoiced at £21,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £23,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £23,500, so it is £4,700. 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

Distribution: collect the spread across the working width using the agreed fertiliser and settings; check delivery rate, evenness, outlet closure and the calibration instructions.

Hopper and frame: inspect welds, coating coverage, corrosion-prone joints, hopper seams and mounting points; check for transit damage and confirm the agreed load specification.

Drive and guards: check shaft guarding, hitch fit, agitator clearance, gearbox leaks and secure fixings; run the machine in its agreed operating configuration.

Documents and spares: match the declaration and marking to the model, check the English manual, and confirm replacement vanes, seals, bearings and outlet components against the parts list.

What goes wrong

Uneven spreading can come from unsuitable granules, incorrect vane settings or inconsistent outlet openings. Damp fertiliser can bridge in the hopper, while residue left around seams and fixings can encourage corrosion. A hopper capacity claim alone does not demonstrate even application.

Approve a sample using the intended fertiliser and record the settings and results. On arrival, check for bent vanes, damaged adjustment controls and loose fixings before repeating the calibration check. Agree cleaning access and replacement wear parts before ordering.

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.