Sourcing graphite EDM electrodes from China

0% duty on graphite EDM electrodes

Heading 8545 covers graphite and other carbon articles used for electrical purposes. Finished graphite electrodes for electrical discharge machining belong in the other-electrodes branch, rather than the furnace-electrode branch. The table shows different finished electrode forms against the same commodity line. It does not classify general graphite blocks or powder as finished electrodes.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the other-electrodes line, 8545 19 00 00, carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for that line. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.

Give your customs broker the drawing, material description and intended electrical use to confirm the commodity code. For furnace electrodes, brushes and the other branches, see the wider graphite electrodes and carbon brushes guide.

Specify the graphite grade and electrode geometry

State whether you need a finished electrode or stock for machining. For finished electrodes, provide the drawing revision, machining datums, holder interface, tolerances and surface finish. Describe the workpiece material, roughing or finishing operation and features such as thin ribs or deep cavities.

Specify the manufacturer's graphite grade, grain size, density, electrical resistivity and flexural strength. Ask for batch test results and agree any grade substitution before production. Compare a trial electrode with your approved material on the intended machine, recording wear, edge retention and the resulting cavity finish.

UK REACH generally covers substances in articles as well as substances and mixtures; obtain composition information and check which obligations apply to the supplied material. HSE advises dust-free cleaning by vacuum rather than sweeping. Include machining and cleaning precautions in your purchasing brief.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 40 machined graphite EDM electrodes, illustrative order under 8545 19 00 00, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £12,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,600, so it is £2,520. 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

Material: match grade and batch identification to the order and test certificate; compare sampled density, resistivity and strength with the agreed specification.

Geometry: measure datums, holder interfaces, cavity profiles and thin features against the drawing; check edges for chips and surfaces for cracks.

Trial machining: check electrode wear and cavity finish using the agreed workpiece material and machine settings, rather than accepting appearance alone.

Packing and arrival: check each electrode is supported without loading fragile features, separated from neighbouring parts and identified by drawing and batch. Photograph damaged packaging and chipped tips before unpacking further. See quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A substituted graphite grade can change electrode wear and cavity finish. Thin ribs can chip during machining or transport, while an incorrect datum or holder interface shifts the electrode away from its intended position. A certificate for a different batch does not demonstrate the properties of your shipment.

Agree the material and drawing before production, approve a machining trial and retain an inspected reference electrode. Check the factory's material traceability and measuring equipment through factory verification. Review machining dust and cleaning arrangements before using the shipment.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For components and parts, see sourcing for manufacturers.