Sourcing gas struts from China
Gas struts classified as pneumatic cylinders carry 4% UK duty from China; qualifying parts carry 0%, giving a 0% to 4% range. Importers must demonstrate compliance with relevant safety requirements. Confirm the design and pressure-equipment assessment route before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources gas struts.
Gas-strut duty and classification
Heading 8412 covers other engines and motors and their parts. For gas struts, review the pneumatic-cylinder description against the actual mechanism. The table includes neighbouring descriptions for classification comparison; these are not interchangeable codes for different gas-strut sizes. The supplied tariff descriptions do not explicitly name gas struts.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, pneumatic cylinders and the other complete units shown carried 4% duty for goods from China, while the other-parts line carried 0%. These selected lines showed no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. The heading's suspension for specified turbocharger actuators does not describe ordinary gas struts.
Give your customs broker a sectional drawing, operating description and details of whether the shipment contains complete struts or separate parts. Confirm the commodity code before ordering. See the hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders guide for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pneumatic cylinders, subject to confirmation for the gas-strut design | 8412 31 00 90 | 4% | None |
| Other pneumatic engines and motors, for classification comparison | 8412 39 00 90 | 4% | None |
| Other engines and motors, for classification comparison | 8412 80 80 90 | 4% | None |
| Other parts of engines and motors, subject to parts classification | 8412 90 70 90 | 0% | None |
Specify force, travel and mounting
Specify extension force and its measurement position, test temperature, force tolerance, extended and compressed lengths, stroke, rod and tube diameters, and end-fitting dimensions. State whether lengths are measured between mounting centres. Include mounting orientation, operating temperature, corrosion exposure, damping near the end of travel, and any locking or release function.
Provide the lid or hatch weight, hinge position and mounting geometry. Approve a sample in the actual assembly, checking opening effort, hold-open behaviour and closing movement. Agree force-retention and cycling acceptance criteria with the factory rather than accepting a force label alone.
Manufacturers and importers placing products on the UK market must demonstrate compliance with relevant safety requirements. Ask for a documented review of whether pressure-equipment rules apply to the design; where they apply, the conformity procedure depends on classification. Use testing and certification support to resolve the assessment. For products intended for, or foreseeably used by, consumers, assess the general product-safety rules for Great Britain.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 1,000 gas struts, illustrative only, assuming pneumatic-cylinder classification under 8412 31 00 90, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £1,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,000. Duty at 4% is £200. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,200, so it is £1,040. Import taxes total £1,240; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £200 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Force and movement: measure force at the agreed position and temperature using a suitable fixture. Check smooth travel, end damping and locking or release operation where specified.
Fit and retention: measure mounting-centre lengths, stroke, sockets, eyes and threads against the drawing. Check retaining clips and trial-fit the supplied end fittings.
Rod and seals: inspect for scratches, corrosion, bent rods and oil leakage. Compare force before and after the agreed cycling and storage tests.
Identification and packing: match product references, force markings and batch details to the order and test records. Check instructions and protection for rods and fittings. Include these checks in the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A strut can match the advertised length yet fail to fit because the supplier measured the body rather than mounting centres. Incorrect force or mounting geometry can leave a hatch unsupported or difficult to close. Poor damping can make the lid move abruptly near the end of travel.
Scratched rods and unsuitable seals can cause leakage and declining support force. Loose retaining clips or mismatched sockets can allow an end fitting to detach. Resolve these failures through the approved assembly sample, agreed force tests and drawing checks before accepting a production batch.
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 struts from China?
If classified under 8412 31 00 90, duty is 4%; qualifying other parts under 8412 90 70 90 carry 0%. The selected lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the design's code.
Can I order gas struts by length alone?
No. Specify mounting-centre lengths, stroke, force and its test conditions, end fittings and mounting geometry. Trial-fit a sample to check opening, support and closing behaviour.
Do gas struts need CE or UKCA marking?
Ask for a documented assessment of the exact design and applicable rules before choosing a marking route. Where pressure-equipment rules apply, the conformity assessment procedure depends on classification.
What should I check when gas struts arrive?
Check force against the agreed test conditions, mounting dimensions, retaining clips, smooth movement, rod damage, leakage and batch identification. Trial-fit samples in the intended assembly.