Sourcing gearboxes and drive parts from China
Gearboxes, speed reducers, gears, ball screws, pulleys, clutches and couplings from China pay 0% UK duty, transmission shafts 4% and bearing housings 6%, with no anti-dumping duty. Drive parts are bought on rated torque, ratio, service factor and material, so the datasheet and a load test decide the order. Cambridge China Bridge sources gearboxes and drive parts.
Gearboxes, gears, pulleys and couplings pay 0% UK duty from China, transmission shafts 4% and bearing housings 6%. Ratings, materials and noise to check.
Duty by component
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, gear boxes and other speed changers, spur, helical, bevel and worm gears, ball screws, pulleys and flywheels of cast iron or steel, and clutches and shaft couplings carried 0% duty on goods from China. Transmission shafts carried 4% and bearing housings incorporating bearings 6%. No line carried an anti-dumping measure.
A drive assembly may be classified as a gearbox, as a motor with a gearbox, or as parts, so confirm the commodity code for the form in which it arrives; geared motors are covered with electric motors.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gear boxes, other | 8483 40 51 90 | 0% | None |
| Worm gears, other | 8483 40 25 90 | 0% | None |
| Ball or roller screws, other | 8483 40 30 90 | 0% | None |
| Pulleys and flywheels of cast iron or cast steel, other | 8483 50 20 90 | 0% | None |
| Clutches and shaft couplings of cast iron or steel, other | 8483 60 20 90 | 0% | None |
| Transmission shafts, other | 8483 10 95 90 | 4% | None |
| Bearing housings incorporating ball or roller bearings | 8483 20 00 00 | 6% | None |
Ratings are the specification
A gearbox is specified by rated torque, ratio, input speed, service factor, mounting and shaft arrangement. Give the factory the load and duty cycle, not only a catalogue number, and ask for the datasheet and a load test on a sample; a cheaper gearbox with the same dimensions often has a lower rating.
For replacements, the mounting dimensions must match the unit being replaced; send drawings or the original part number, and check fit on the first samples.
Materials, heat treatment and noise
Gear life depends on the steel, the heat treatment and the tooth finish. Ask for material certificates, hardness readings and gear accuracy grades, and check noise, backlash and temperature rise under load at inspection. Housings are castings, so check for porosity and machining accuracy on bearing seats.
Lubrication at dispatch matters too: some gearboxes ship dry and must be filled before use, which has to be clear on the label.
Continuity of supply
OEM buyers need the same gearbox for years. Ask how long the design will be made, how changes to gears or bearings will be notified, and keep an approved sample. The machinery guide covers the wider category.
Cambridge China Bridge sources gearboxes, gears, pulleys and couplings for OEMs and maintenance buyers, with ratings, materials and load tests checked before shipment. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on gearboxes from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, gear boxes and speed changers carried 0% duty from China, as did gears, pulleys and couplings. Transmission shafts carried 4% and bearing housings 6%.
How should a gearbox be specified?
By rated torque, ratio, input speed, service factor, mounting and shaft arrangement, with the actual load and duty cycle given to the factory.
What should be tested on gearboxes before shipment?
Noise, backlash and temperature rise under load, with material certificates and hardness readings for the gears.
Do gearboxes ship with oil in them?
Not always. Some ship dry and must be filled before use, which must be clear on the label and in the manual.