Sourcing compressor blades from China
Gas turbine compressor blades from China carry 0% UK duty throughout the selected parts range. Import declarations must include the commodity code; confirm it from the engine type and intended use. Specify the drawing revision, alloy and inspection acceptance criteria. Cambridge China Bridge sources gas turbine compressor blades.
UK duty on gas turbine compressor blades
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, heading 8411 covers turbojets, turbopropellers and other gas turbines, including their parts. Compressor blades need a parts classification based on their intended engine and use. The table distinguishes aircraft-engine applications from other gas turbines; the residual code is repeated for rotor and stator blades.
The selected codes carry 0% duty on goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls for these codes. Do not choose the separate nickel-superalloy turbine-blade line simply because the supplier describes a compressor blade as a turbine part.
An import declaration must include the commodity code. Give your customs broker the engine application, drawing, material and intended use, and confirm the commodity code. For the wider blade family, see gas turbine rotor blades.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft-engine compressor blades meeting the aircraft-use tariff description | 8411 91 00 20 | 0% | None |
| Other compressor blades for turbojets or turbopropellers | 8411 91 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Other gas-turbine compressor rotor blades | 8411 99 00 99 | 0% | None |
Specify the compressor stage, aerofoil and root
State the engine model, compressor stage, rotor or stator position, part identity and drawing revision. Specify alloy chemistry, material condition, heat treatment, aerofoil profile, twist, root geometry, surface finish and any coating. Agree inspection datums and acceptance criteria before manufacture, including the non-destructive examination method and how results will be recorded.
Ask for material certificates linked to the delivered batch, dimensional results against the drawing and traceable heat-treatment records. Specify whether blades are new or repaired, and agree mass matching where the assembly design calls for it. For replacements, have the engineer responsible for the engine review compatibility rather than accepting a supplier's visual match.
For sale in Great Britain, confirm which conformity requirements apply to the intended component and assembly. Official machinery guidance says that, for many products, a single marking covering the overall product is sufficient. Ask a testing and certification adviser to assess applicability; a generic CE document does not establish drawing conformity or engine compatibility.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 40 compressor rotor blades (illustrative order) under 8411 99 00 99, invoiced at £8,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,200, so it is £1,840. 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
Identity: match the part markings, drawing revision and batch identifiers to the purchase order and material records.
Geometry: check aerofoil profile, twist, root fit, platform geometry and agreed dimensions using the specified datums and gauges.
Material and surface: review alloy and heat-treatment records, examination results, coating coverage and signs of cracks, burrs or corrosion.
Arrival condition: check blade edges and roots for impact damage, and keep batches separated. Agree protective packing and use a quality inspection brief before dispatch.
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What goes wrong
A blade can resemble the sample yet have the wrong twist, root contact surfaces or material condition. A dimensional report is difficult to assess if it uses different datums from the drawing. Treat missing heat traceability, undocumented repairs and unapproved alloy substitutions as unresolved acceptance issues.
Mixing stages or batches can defeat an agreed matching plan, while blades touching in transit can damage edges and roots. Agree how discrepancies will be isolated and investigated before fitting. Use factory verification to check the maker's machining, measurement and traceability capability.
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 turbine compressor blades from China?
The selected parts codes carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff record read on 4 October 2026, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing measures.
Which commodity code covers compressor blades?
Turbojet and turbopropeller parts use the relevant 8411 91 line. Other gas-turbine compressor blades may use 8411 99 00 99. Confirm the engine application and full tariff description with your broker.
Do compressor blades need their own CE marking?
Assess the intended component and assembly. Official machinery guidance says a single marking covering the overall product is sufficient for many products; it does not establish a blanket rule for every blade.
What documents should I request from the Chinese factory?
Request the agreed drawing revision, batch-linked material certificates, heat-treatment records, dimensional results and agreed non-destructive examination reports. Match them to the blades delivered.