Sourcing gear hobbing machines from China

Gear hobbing machine duty and classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 24 October 2026, the relevant gear-cutting lines under heading 8461 carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines.

Heading 8461 covers several metal-removing machine tools. For a hobbing machine, establish whether it cuts cylindrical or other gears and whether it is numerically controlled. The table includes both distinctions; the other-gear lines apply only where the machine's function supports that classification. See the wider heading guide.

Confirm the commodity code using the machine specification, control details and intended gear types. A supplier's description of the machine as a hobber is insufficient to distinguish the tariff lines.

Specify the gear, hob and acceptance test

Specify the module range, workpiece diameter and face width, gear material, helix capability, hob dimensions, arbor arrangement and workholding. State the control model, spindle and feed ranges, coolant system, chip removal, electrical supply and included tooling. Agree an accuracy grade and an acceptance test using your gear drawing and representative blanks.

For new machines supplied in Great Britain, confirm the applicable machinery supply rules with the relevant authority, including essential health and safety requirements, a declaration of conformity and English instructions. CE or UKCA marking can be used for the Great Britain market under the applicable conformity route. Check that the documents identify the actual machine and supplied configuration.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: A conventional gear hobbing machine for a gear workshop, illustrative order under 8461 40 19 00, invoiced at £42,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £46,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £46,000, so it is £9,200. 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

Trial gear: cut the agreed material and measure tooth profile, lead, pitch and runout against the drawing and contracted accuracy grade. Retain the measurement report and identify the hob and setup used.

Workholding and cutting: check arbor seating, blank clamping, tailstock alignment where fitted, hob mounting, coolant delivery and chip clearance during the trial.

Safety and documents: check guards, interlocks and every emergency stop. Match the conformity declaration, marking, English manual, wiring diagrams and spares list to the supplied machine.

Arrival: inspect for corrosion, transport damage and displaced components. Check the agreed tooling and accessories, then repeat the acceptance cut after installation. Use the inspection guide to define the inspection scope.

What goes wrong

A demonstration gear can conceal a mismatch with your work. A machine may cut a narrow blank satisfactorily but struggle with your face width, material or helix. Incorrect hob mounting, weak workholding or poor alignment can produce tooth errors even when the control operates normally.

Record the trial setup and measurements before dispatch. Agree who supplies replacement arbors, control backups and service support. Lock and brace moving assemblies for shipping, and investigate any change in accuracy after installation before accepting the machine.

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.