Sourcing Gap-Bed Lathes from China
Gap-bed lathes from China carry 2% UK duty across the relevant heading 8458 lines, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Machinery supply rules apply: check conformity documents, guarding and English instructions, then test accuracy with the gap refitted. Cambridge China Bridge sources gap-bed lathes.
UK duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 8458 covers lathes, including turning centres, for removing metal. The supplied lines all carry 2% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no listed suspensions. This guide concerns gap-bed lathes with a removable bed section near the headstock.
The UK Trade Tariff attaches an import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases to these lines. Official guidance includes pre-charged equipment incorporated within other products. Ask whether the machine includes refrigerant-charged cooling equipment and obtain its refrigerant details. The importer should confirm the applicable control and declaration requirements with their customs broker before shipment.
A removable gap does not determine the tariff code. Ordinary manual horizontal machines fit the non-NC description; the other table rows apply only where the actual machine meets their control and functional descriptions. Confirm the commodity code using the specification. See lathes and CNC turning centres for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizontal gap-bed lathes, not numerically controlled | 8458 19 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Horizontal NC gap-bed lathes, other than automatic lathes or turning centres | 8458 11 80 00 | 2% | None |
| Single-spindle horizontal NC automatic lathes, if this describes the machine | 8458 11 41 00 | 2% | None |
| Horizontal NC turning centres, if this describes the gap-bed machine | 8458 11 20 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the gap and usable turning envelope
Specify swing over the bed, cross slide and open gap, plus usable gap length measured from the spindle face. Supply a drawing of the intended flange, pulley or other large-diameter workpiece, including chuck or faceplate clearance. Agree spindle bore and nose, speed range, distance between centres, threading arrangements, tailstock, power supply and included workholding.
Ask for the gap insert's locating method, fastening arrangement and removal instructions. Agree accuracy checks before removal and after refitting, plus cutting tests on your intended material. Confirm with HSE the applicable essential health and safety requirements, conformity documentation and English instructions under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008. CE or UKCA marking is accepted for the Great Britain market.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: a horizontal manual gap-bed lathe; illustrative FOB and freight values under 8458 19 00 00, invoiced at £28,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £32,000. Duty at 2% is £640. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £32,640, so it is £6,528. Import taxes total £7,168; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £640 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Gap fit: inspect the mating faces, locating features and fasteners; remove and refit the insert, then check bedway continuity and carriage travel.
Geometry and cutting: record spindle run-out and tailstock alignment; cut the agreed test part and check dimensions and finish with the gap refitted.
Safety and documents: check chuck guarding, emergency stops and applicable interlocks; match the conformity declaration, English manual and machine identification.
Arrival condition: inspect exposed bedways for corrosion and impact damage, account for the insert and accessories, then level the machine and repeat the acceptance checks. Plan quality inspection before crating.
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What goes wrong
Quoted swing over the gap can obscure the usable axial space. A large workpiece may clear the bed but foul the chuck guard or leave insufficient tool access. Check the whole setup against a drawing, including workholding and tool travel, before approving the specification.
Dirt, burrs or damage at the insert seats can cause a step after refitting. An acceptance test performed only with the gap removed misses this problem. Record refitting and cutting results before shipment, protect the mating faces during packing and repeat the checks after installation.
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 gap-bed lathes from China?
The supplied heading 8458 lines carry 2% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no listed suspensions.
Which commodity code covers a manual gap-bed lathe?
A horizontal gap-bed lathe that is not numerically controlled fits 8458 19 00 00. Confirm the actual machine's orientation and control type before declaring it.
How do I check that the removable gap fits correctly?
Inspect the clean mating faces and locating features, refit the insert as instructed, then check bedway continuity, carriage movement and the agreed cutting accuracy.
What paperwork should accompany a gap-bed lathe?
Check the declaration of conformity and English instructions against the delivered machine. Check CE or UKCA marking and ask your broker to confirm the tariff's fluorinated greenhouse gas control.