Sourcing gas-fired reheating furnaces from China
Gas-fired steel-reheating furnaces and furnace parts from China carry 0% UK duty across the relevant lines. For complete furnaces supplied as machinery, confirm machinery safety requirements, conformity marking, a declaration and English instructions with the relevant authority. Cambridge China Bridge sources gas-fired steel-reheating furnaces.
0% duty on steel-reheating furnaces
Heading 8417 covers non-electric industrial or laboratory furnaces and ovens. Gas-fired furnaces that reheat steel for rolling or forging fall within the metal heat-treatment line, 8417 10 00 00. The table distinguishes furnace layouts sharing that code, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. Furnace parts have the separate line 8417 90 00 00.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, both relevant lines carried 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 separate from customs duty.
Confirm the commodity code against the furnace function, heating method and shipment contents, including separately supplied components. For the wider furnace context, see gas-fired forging furnaces.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas-fired batch steel-reheating furnaces | 8417 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Parts of non-electric steel-reheating furnaces | 8417 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the steel load and combustion system
Specify steel grades, billet or slab dimensions, charging temperature, discharge temperature and acceptable temperature variation through the steel. Define batch, pusher or walking-beam operation, throughput, residence time, scale loss and the test method. Agree acceptance using representative steel loads rather than an empty chamber temperature reading.
Give the factory the site fuel composition, available gas pressure, electrical supply and exhaust arrangement. Agree burner zoning, flame supervision, purge sequence, safety shut-off valves, refractory construction, thermocouple positions and access for maintenance. Define who supplies the foundations, gas connections, flue, installation and commissioning.
For complete furnaces supplied as machinery, confirm with the relevant authority how the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 apply, including conformity marking, a declaration of conformity and English instructions. CE marking continues to be recognised in Great Britain alongside UKCA. Under DSEAR, employers must assess workplace fire and explosion risks from dangerous substances. Ask the site engineer to review the fuel system before ordering.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: one compact gas-fired batch steel-reheating furnace under 8417 10 00 00, invoiced at £72,000 free on board, with £6,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £78,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £78,500, so it is £15,700. 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
Combustion controls: have a competent engineer witness flame-failure, purge, gas shut-off and emergency-stop tests against the agreed control sequence; retain the results.
Steel heating: witness a loaded trial and record discharge temperatures, temperature variation, throughput and fuel consumption against the agreed acceptance method.
Build and arrival: compare refractory certificates and installation records with the drawings; inspect lining damage, casing welds, door seals and handling mechanisms after unloading.
Documents: match the furnace identification to the declaration, conformity marking, English instructions, wiring drawings, gas schematic and spares list. Plan quality inspection before shipment.
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What goes wrong
An empty-furnace trial can conceal uneven heating through a billet or slab. Cold cores disrupt rolling or forging, while excessive surface heating increases scale. Refractory cracks, leaking doors and poorly positioned temperature sensors can undermine the agreed performance. Require a loaded acceptance trial and photograph the lining before packing.
A furnace designed around the factory's gas supply may perform differently at the buyer's site. Missing commissioning support or inaccessible control settings can delay acceptance. Agree fuel conditions, commissioning responsibilities and spare-component identification in the purchase specification; use factory verification to check comparable furnace projects.
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 gas-fired steel-reheating furnaces from China?
The supplied tariff record dated 2 October 2026 shows 0% on 8417 10 00 00 and furnace parts under 8417 90 00 00, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Can a steel-reheating furnace use CE marking in Great Britain?
CE marking continues to be recognised alongside UKCA. Confirm declaration of conformity and English-instruction requirements for complete machinery with the relevant authority; check that the documents identify the supplied furnace.
What should a furnace acceptance test measure?
Use representative steel loads and measure discharge temperature, temperature variation, throughput and fuel consumption. Agree the loading conditions and measurement method before manufacture.
What should I check when the furnace arrives?
Inspect refractory damage, door seals, casing welds and handling mechanisms. Match delivered modules and identification plates to the drawings and documents before commissioning.