Sourcing gear lapping machines from China
Gear lapping machines from China fall within the gear-finishing family of heading 8461, whose supplied tariff lines all carry 0% UK duty. Confirm the applicable machinery safety, conformity marking, declaration of conformity and English-instruction requirements with the relevant product safety authority before supply. Cambridge China Bridge sources gear lapping machines.
Gear-finishing codes and zero duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 8461 covers metal or cermet removal by gear cutting, grinding and finishing, alongside other specified machining processes. Gear lapping belongs to the gear-finishing family. The table includes the finishing lines and a related gear-cutting line for comparison; the cutting line describes a different operation.
The supplied lines all carry 0% duty for goods from China. They list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. Confirm applicable machinery safety requirements separately with the relevant product safety authority. Budget separately for import VAT at 20%; see duty and VAT.
Confirm the commodity code from the actual finishing process, numerical control and whether the adjustment system meets the tariff's micrometric positioning condition. A controller display alone does not establish that condition. For the wider gear-machine family, see gear grinding machines.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gear-finishing machines, qualifying micrometric adjustment, numerically controlled | 8461 40 71 00 | 0% | None |
| Gear-finishing machines, qualifying micrometric adjustment, other | 8461 40 79 00 | 0% | None |
| Other gear-finishing machines | 8461 40 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Related operation: numerically controlled cutting machines for non-cylindrical gears | 8461 40 31 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the gear pair and lapping process
State whether the machine will lap mating bevel gears or another gear type, and supply drawings, material and heat-treatment details. Specify module, gear diameter, face width, shaft angle, mounting distances, spindle interfaces and fixture requirements. Agree the spindle speeds, loading method, reversing sequence and abrasive compound before the factory trial.
Define acceptance through measured contact pattern, backlash, surface condition and running behaviour on your own gear pairs. Agree the compound circulation, filtration and cleaning arrangements, electrical supply, control functions, programme backup and included tooling.
Before supplying machines in Great Britain, confirm with the relevant product safety authority the applicable essential health and safety requirements under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, including conformity marking, declaration of conformity and English-instruction requirements. CE marking continues to be recognised in Great Britain. Ask for documents matching the actual machine and its supplied configuration.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: A gear lapping machine classified as other gear-finishing machinery; illustrative only under 8461 40 90 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
Gear-pair trial: record the incoming condition, run the agreed lapping cycle and measure contact pattern, backlash and surface condition afterwards. Keep the settings and results with the inspected gear pair.
Spindles and fixtures: check alignment, runout, mounting-distance adjustment, clamping security and repeatability after unloading and refitting the gears. Check for abnormal vibration or bearing noise.
Abrasive system: check compound delivery, agitation where specified, filtration, leaks and cleaning access. Look for abrasive entering bearings, slides or electrical enclosures.
Safety and arrival: check guards, interlocks, emergency stops, declaration and English manual before dispatch. On arrival, inspect shipping restraints, corrosion and spindle damage, then repeat the agreed trial after installation. Use the inspection guide to define the inspection record.
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What goes wrong
A demonstration can look convincing while using a gear pair that does not represent your work. Incorrect mounting distances or uneven loading can shift the contact pattern; an unsuitable compound or poorly controlled cycle can remove material unevenly. Specify the starting condition and acceptance measurements rather than accepting a quieter-running sample alone.
Residual abrasive can contaminate the machine or remain on finished gears, while shipping movement can disturb spindle alignment. Agree cleaning and transport restraints, retain the trial records and repeat the checks after installation. Review the builder's assembly and measurement capability through factory verification.
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 gear lapping machines from China?
The supplied gear-finishing lines under heading 8461 carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Import VAT is separate.
Which commodity code applies to a gear lapping machine?
Check the gear-finishing lines against the actual machine. Numerical control and the tariff's micrometric adjustment condition distinguish the categories; do not classify from the sales name alone.
What safety documents should accompany the machine?
For Great Britain, check conformity marking, a declaration of conformity and English instructions, alongside compliance with machinery safety requirements. Match the documents to the supplied machine.
How should I test a gear lapping machine before shipment?
Use your own representative gear pairs. Record their starting condition, run the agreed cycle and check contact pattern, backlash and surface condition. Repeat the trial after installation.