Sourcing hydraulic gear pumps from China

Duty and classification for hydraulic gear pumps

Heading 8413 covers pumps for liquids and liquid elevators. Hydraulic fluid-power gear pumps are described under 8413 60 31 90. The table also shows neighbouring lines for hydraulic units, other gear pumps and separately supplied pump parts; these are alternatives to assess against the actual goods, rather than interchangeable codes.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 4 October 2026, all selected lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for these lines. Import VAT is separate from duty; see UK import duty and VAT.

Confirm the commodity code using the pump mechanism, hydraulic application and whether the shipment contains a pump, an assembled unit or parts. For related actuators, see hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders.

Displacement, rotation and installation documents

Specify displacement per revolution, required flow at the intended shaft speed, continuous and intermittent pressure, oil viscosity and operating temperature. Define rotation as viewed from the shaft end. Attach drawings for the flange, shaft spline or key, port threads and inlet position. Agree seal material, housing material and a performance test with warmed oil.

Ask the supplier to explain whether the supplied configuration is a component, partly completed machinery or complete machinery. In Great Britain, machinery compliance includes essential health and safety requirements, conformity assessment, a declaration of conformity and the relevant conformity marking. If supplied as partly completed machinery, assembly instructions and a declaration of incorporation must accompany it until incorporation. Review the exact configuration through testing and certification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 40 hydraulic gear pumps, illustrative order under 8413 60 31 90, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,400, so it is £680. 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 and fit: compare model identification, rotation arrow, flange, shaft and port threads with the approved drawing; check incoming pumps for damaged threads and shaft corrosion.

Performance: record delivered flow at the agreed speed, pressure and oil temperature; compare results with the approved sample and acceptance criteria.

Leakage and running: check shaft seals and housing joints during the agreed run test; record abnormal noise, vibration and temperature rise.

Cleanliness and packing: inspect accessible ports for debris, confirm protective caps and check that shafts cannot strike neighbouring pumps during transport. Agree these checks before quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A matching displacement does not establish interchangeability. Opposite rotation, a different shaft spline or an inlet port in the wrong position can prevent installation. Write these details into the approved drawing rather than relying on a catalogue photograph.

A pump may deliver acceptable flow with cold oil but lose flow as the oil warms because of internal leakage. Seal damage, contaminated ports and excessive inlet restriction can also cause trouble. Request test conditions with the results and retain an approved sample for comparison.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.