Sourcing hydraulic toe jacks from China

Zero duty on hydraulic toe jacks

Heading 8425 covers pulley tackle, hoists, winches, capstans and jacks. Hydraulic toe jacks sit within the line for other hydraulic jacks and hoists, 8425 42 00 00. The table shows product variants under this shared code, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the hydraulic jack line carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for this line. Import VAT is separate from customs duty; see UK import duty and VAT.

Confirm the commodity code against the complete product specification, including the lifting mechanism and supplied pump. For the wider hydraulic jack family within this heading, see hydraulic bottle jacks.

Specify the toe capacity and lifting clearance

Specify the rated capacity at the toe separately from any head capacity. Give the minimum gap beneath the machine, toe thickness and projection, lowered toe height, lifting stroke and base footprint. Ask for a dimensioned drawing showing where the load contacts the toe. Confirm whether the toe is fixed or adjustable and whether the pump is integrated or supplied separately.

For sale in Great Britain, agree machinery safety compliance, appropriate conformity marking and a declaration of conformity. Confirm with the relevant product-safety authority the applicable CE or UKCA route, English-instruction requirements, static and dynamic testing, and rated load marking. Where safe working load varies with configuration, the information must cover the configurations. Ask the factory to identify toe and head ratings clearly and supply test records for the exact model.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 40 hydraulic toe jacks, illustrative order under 8425 42 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

Fit: measure lowered toe height, toe thickness, projection and stroke against the approved drawing; check adjustment positions, retainers and handle clearance.

Load holding: have a suitable test facility check the agreed toe and head ratings, recording hydraulic leak-down, external leakage and controlled lowering.

Structure: inspect the toe, welds, ram and base for cracks, distortion, damage and uneven contact; check pump operation and any hose connections.

Documents: match the model and serial number to the declaration, test records, capacity marking and English manual. Use quality inspection to agree these checks before dispatch and repeat arrival checks for transport damage.

What goes wrong

A quotation can headline the head capacity while leaving the toe capacity unclear. A toe that is too thick or too high cannot enter the available gap, and insufficient projection can prevent proper engagement. Reject a specification that gives only a capacity headline without drawings and a stated load position.

Poor seals can let the load sink; a sticking release valve can make lowering difficult to control. Bent toes, damaged welds and a rocking base need investigation before use. Factory test records support purchasing checks; employers should confirm with HSE what thorough-examination duties apply to their workplace lifting equipment under the lifting equipment regulations.

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.