Sourcing food tray sealers from China

Zero duty on tray sealers and machinery parts

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 8422 covers container sealing machinery alongside other packaging equipment. Food tray sealers fit the container-sealing description under 8422 30 00 00; machinery parts fall under 8422 90 90 00 where that parts classification applies. The table separates machine configurations sharing the same commodity line.

The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty for goods from China on these lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls. Import VAT is separate from customs duty.

Confirm the commodity code using the machine's function and its condition at import, especially for separately shipped tooling and components. For related packaging equipment within this heading, see chamber vacuum packaging machines.

Specify the tray, film and sealing process

Send the factory actual trays and lidding film, with drawings showing the flange, depth and tooling layout. Specify the tray material, film sealant layer, peelable or permanent seal, print registration and trimming pattern. Agree whether the machine seals only or also evacuates and flushes with gas.

Define acceptance using filled trays at the intended production speed. Agree seal strength, leak testing, film appearance and changeover checks with the factory. Specify electrical supply, compressed-air needs, cleaning access and spare heaters, gaskets and blades.

CE marking remains recognised indefinitely in Great Britain. For machines handling food, confirm the applicable food-contact and cleaning requirements with the relevant food safety authority or a compliance adviser. Arrange a document and testing review for the exact model before shipment.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: One food tray sealing machine, illustrative only under 8422 30 00 00, invoiced at £5,000 free on board, with £500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,500, so it is £1,100. 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

Tooling: check the delivered moulds against your trays, including flange support, alignment, film feed and trimmed edges.

Seals: run your filled trays and film through the machine; inspect corners, wrinkles, contamination at the flange and leaks using the agreed test.

Safety and documents: check guarding, interlocks, emergency stops, the model-specific technical-file arrangements and English operating and cleaning instructions.

Arrival run: inspect transport damage, reconnect services as instructed and repeat the accepted sealing trial before production.

What goes wrong

A demonstration with the factory's trays can hide an incompatible film sealant layer or unsupported tray flange. Uneven jaw temperature, wrinkled film and food on the sealing surface can leave channels through the seal. Accept the machine using your materials and filled packs.

A gas-flushing option does not establish food shelf life. Agree how your business will validate the packed product separately. Record the accepted settings and cleaning method, and confirm how replacement tooling, heaters and gaskets will be identified.

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.