Graphite electrodes and brushes from China

0% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, carbon electrodes, carbon brushes, lamp carbons, battery carbons and other articles of graphite or other carbon for electrical purposes, heading 8545, carried 0% on goods from China on every line: graphite electrodes for furnaces in the listed density and resistance bands and other electrodes, carbon brushes, carbon heating resistors, and nipples and other articles. No line carried an anti-dumping measure.

Graphite and carbon articles for non-electrical use, such as crucibles, moulds and seals, are under heading 6815 (see our carbon fibre and graphite guide), and synthetic graphite powder under 3801 (see our artificial graphite guide).

Grades and standards

Electrode dimensions and designation follow IEC 60239, and grades are usually described as regular, high or ultra-high power (RP, HP, UHP), matched to the furnace transformer and current density. Carbon brushes are graded by material (electrographite, metal-graphite, resin-bonded) and matched to the motor's current density, speed and commutator.

Specifying electrodes and brushes

For electrodes, specify grade, diameter and length, bulk density, electrical resistivity, flexural strength, coefficient of thermal expansion, ash content, nipple type and thread pitch, and machining tolerance. For brushes, specify grade, dimensions, shunt and terminal, spring pressure, and the machine they fit.

Worked duty example

Suppose, purely for illustration, you import 40 tonnes of UHP graphite electrodes under 8545 11 00 10. At £96,000 free on board and £4,500 to ship and insure, the customs value is £100,500. With 0% duty on graphite electrodes, the only charge is import VAT: 20% of £100,500, or £20,100. VAT-registered businesses usually recover that in their next return. The method is set out in how UK import duty and VAT work.

Inspection checklist

Properties: check the test certificate for each lot against the specification, and have an independent laboratory test sample cores for density, resistivity and flexural strength.

Machining: check diameter, length, end faces and socket threads with gauges, and test-fit nipples into sockets.

Packing: check electrodes are in strong cases or on braced pallets with thread protection, kept dry, and marked with grade, size and lot.

What goes wrong

Electrode orders fail on grade, joints and transit. A lower grade is supplied as UHP and consumption rises, nipples loosen or break at the joint, internal cracks cause breakage in the furnace, threads are damaged in transit, and brushes of the wrong grade wear commutators.

Test sample cores, gauge the threads, and specify strong packing. See our quality inspection guide.

Cambridge China Bridge sources graphite electrodes and carbon brushes for UK steelmakers, foundries and motor repairers, checking the maker's test laboratory first. See factory verification.