Sourcing hand-held petrol earth augers from China

UK duty for petrol earth augers

Heading 8467 covers tools for working in the hand. Hand-held petrol earth augers are candidates for 8467 89 00 00, covering other non-electric motor tools. Dedicated parts may fall under 8467 99 00 90. The table shows configurations sharing these codes; it does not establish the classification of separately imported engines or drilling bits. For the reverse trade route, see exporting UK tools to China.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, both listed commodity lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. Across the wider heading, duty ranges from 0% to 2%.

Confirm classification using the engine configuration, hand-held operation, photographs and a description of any separately supplied parts. Use finding your commodity code, and see the hand-held power tools guide for the wider heading.

Specify the drilling task and engine

State the soil conditions, intended hole diameter and depth, operator arrangement, engine model, fuel specification, gearbox design and output-shaft connection. Identify the drilling bits, extensions, retaining pins and replaceable cutting tips included. Agree a trial in representative ground and record drilling performance, restarting and operator control.

Confirm with the relevant authority whether Great Britain machinery supply rules apply to the hand-held powered tools. Obtain the exact model's declaration of conformity, English instructions, marking and technical evidence. For the petrol engine, follow official guidance to check the right type approval and displayed engine markings. Type approval demonstrates compliance with emissions standards.

Specify replacement starters, clutches, gearbox seals, handles and controls by part reference. Ask for vibration and noise information. An employer supplying tools to staff should confirm applicable work-equipment and hand-arm vibration duties with HSE; declared laboratory vibration is not the operator's real-use exposure.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 40 hand-held petrol earth augers under 8467 89 00 00, invoiced at £8,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £9,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,200, so it is £1,840. 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

Identity: match the engine, gearbox, handles and supplied accessories to the agreed sample, packing list and model documents; photograph engine markings.

Controls: check throttle return, stop control, grips, guards and fastenings against the agreed inspection brief.

Operation: check cold starting, warm restarting, idling and drilling under load in representative ground; record leaks, unusual vibration and gearbox noise.

Accessories: check shaft fit, retaining pins, cutting tips and extensions; inspect carton damage, bent components and missing spares on arrival.

What goes wrong

A demonstration in loose soil can conceal poor drilling performance in the buyer's ground. A changed shaft connection can make replacement bits unusable. Look for clutch slip under load, difficult warm restarting, leaking seals and loosened handle fastenings during the agreed trial.

A supplier may provide documents for a different engine or auger model. Match the production unit to the paperwork before accepting the shipment. A marking alone or another model's report is not product approval. Agree how defective units and unavailable spare parts will be handled before ordering.

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.