Sourcing gravity die casting machines from China
Gravity die casting machines and casting-machine parts from China carry 0% UK duty, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. For new machines supplied in Great Britain, confirm the applicable machinery safety, conformity-document, marking and English-instruction requirements with the relevant authority. Cambridge China Bridge sources gravity die casting machines.
Gravity casting machines: 0% UK duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, gravity casting machines under 8454 30 90 00 and casting-machine parts under 8454 90 00 00 carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines.
Heading 8454 covers converters, ladles, ingot moulds and casting machines used in metallurgy or foundries. Tilting and static gravity casting machines share the other-casting-machines line. The table also includes casting-machine parts and foundry ladles or ingot moulds. Die-casting moulds belong under heading 8480, so list tooling separately.
Confirm the commodity code against the machine's operating description and the shipment contents. Describe gravity pouring clearly and distinguish it from casting under pressure. For the wider heading, see die-casting machines and foundry equipment.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tilting gravity die casting machines | 8454 30 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Parts for casting machines | 8454 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Foundry ladles and ingot moulds | 8454 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the gravity pouring and mould cycle
Specify the alloy, casting drawing, mould dimensions and weight, opening stroke, core movements, ejection and cooling connections. For a tilting machine, define the tilt range, pouring position and adjustable tilt sequence. Agree whether ladling, mould coating and extraction are manual or automated, and identify who supplies the mould and casting process settings.
Agree the electrical supply, hydraulic fluid, cooling-water needs, foundation details and access for mould changes. Request a trial using your mould and alloy, with agreed checks for complete filling, porosity, dimensions and repeatability. Set out the commissioning, operator training and spare-parts package.
For new machines supplied in Great Britain, confirm with the relevant authority the applicable essential health and safety, conformity-marking, declaration-of-conformity and English-instruction requirements under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008. CE marking remains recognised in Great Britain. Check that the documents describe the machine and its supplied configuration.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 2 gravity die casting machines, illustrative order under 8454 30 90 00, invoiced at £28,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £32,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £32,000, so it is £6,400. 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
Casting trial: witness pouring, cooling and extraction using the agreed mould and alloy. Compare casting quality and cycle performance with the acceptance criteria, including results after the machine and mould have warmed up.
Movement and protection: check mould alignment, core travel, ejection and tilt control. Test guards, interlocks and emergency stops through an agreed safe procedure, and inspect protection around the pouring area.
Hydraulics and cooling: inspect cylinders, hoses, fittings and cooling connections for leaks. Check that movement remains smooth during repeated cycles and that hoses clear the tilt mechanism.
Arrival and documents: compare the delivered machine, accessories and nameplate with the order. Inspect transit damage, loose connections and corrosion before commissioning. Check English instructions, the declaration of conformity, wiring and hydraulic diagrams, and the spares list.
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What goes wrong
An empty machine cycle can look satisfactory while real castings show incomplete filling, porosity or inconsistent dimensions. Poorly matched pouring and tilt settings, uneven mould cooling or unreliable core movement can undermine the result. Make the casting trial part of acceptance and record the settings used.
A machine can also arrive with damaged hoses, displaced guards or documents for a different configuration. Check the actual shipment and arrange support for commissioning and controls repairs. Use the quality inspection guide to plan checks before dispatch and on arrival.
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 gravity die casting machines from China?
The supplied tariff snapshot gives 0% for gravity casting machines under 8454 30 90 00 and casting-machine parts under 8454 90 00 00, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Are gravity casting moulds included in the machine's commodity code?
Die-casting moulds fall under heading 8480. List the mould separately and confirm its commodity code, even when the factory supplies it with the machine.
What documents should accompany a gravity die casting machine?
For a new machine supplied in Great Britain, check the declaration of conformity, conformity marking and English instructions. Also request wiring and hydraulic diagrams and a machine-specific spares list.
Should I test the machine with my own mould?
Ask for a witnessed trial with your mould and alloy. Check filling, porosity, dimensions, cooling, core movement and extraction against agreed acceptance criteria.