Sourcing gear skiving machines from China

UK duty and classification for gear skiving machines

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the relevant gear-cutting lines under heading 8461 carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines.

Heading 8461 covers machine tools that remove metal or cermets, including gear cutting and finishing. For a numerically controlled skiving machine cutting cylindrical gears, start the classification check with 8461 40 11 00. Internal gears are not automatically classified as other gears. The table includes non-numerically controlled and other-gear alternatives for comparison; use them only where the specification supports that description.

Confirm the commodity code using the gear geometry, cutting process and control specification. See the gear hobbing guide for wider heading context. Zero duty does not remove import VAT; see UK import duty and VAT.

Specify the gear, cutter access and synchronisation

Supply drawings for the actual internal or external gears, including material, hardness, module, helix angle, face width and required tooth accuracy. State whether the machine will cut soft blanks or perform hard skiving. Agree which dimensions and tooth measurements determine acceptance.

Specify cutter diameter, holder interface, spindle crossing angle, workholding and clearance around shoulders or blind bores. Ask the builder to demonstrate cutter approach and withdrawal on your part. Record the spindle synchronisation, control functions, programme backup, coolant filtration, chip removal and electrical supply included in the order.

For supply in Great Britain, confirm the applicable essential health and safety, declaration of conformity and English-instruction requirements under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 with the relevant authority or your customs broker. CE or UKCA marking can be used under the applicable conformity route. Check the documents against the actual machine and its supplied configuration.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: a compact numerically controlled gear skiving machine under 8461 40 11 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 gears: cut agreed blanks using the contracted cutter and settings; measure tooth profile, lead, pitch and surface finish against the agreed acceptance criteria. Repeat the trial after installation.

Access and workholding: check cutter clearance throughout the cycle, fixture seating, clamping repeatability and safe removal of chips from internal gears.

Safety functions: test enclosure interlocks and emergency stops; check protection around rotating cutters, workholding and loading areas.

Arrival and documents: inspect for corrosion, impact damage and displaced transport restraints; match the nameplate, declaration, English manual, wiring diagrams, cutters and programme backups to the order. Use the quality inspection guide to organise the records.

What goes wrong

A demonstration on an easy external gear can hide cutter-access problems on your internal gear. Poor spindle synchronisation, fixture run-out or an unsuitable cutter can produce tooth errors, chatter and uneven finish. Specify a trial using your gear geometry, material and workholding, and retain the measured results.

A machine may arrive with different control options, missing programme backups or inadequate chip evacuation. Transport movement can also affect alignment. Compare the delivered configuration with the signed specification and repeat the agreed cutting test after installation before accepting production performance.

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.