Sourcing industrial checkweighers from China
Industrial checkweighers from China carry 0% UK duty across the relevant heading 8423 lines, with no listed trade remedies. For trade-use machines, the importer must check measuring-instrument conformity before sale or use in Great Britain. Test weighing and rejection together at the agreed line speed. Cambridge China Bridge sources industrial checkweighers.
Duty and classification for checkweighers
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, the relevant checkweigher and parts lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines.
Heading 8423 includes weight-operated checking machines. Electronic checkweighers with maximum capacity not exceeding 30 kg have a dedicated line; heavier electronic machines use a broader weighing-machinery line. Continuous conveyor weighing and filling to a predetermined weight have separate tariff descriptions, so describe what the machine actually does.
Confirm the commodity code using maximum capacity, weighing method and whether the shipment contains a complete machine or parts. See weighing scales for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic checkweighers with maximum capacity not exceeding 30 kg | 8423 81 21 00 | 0% | None |
| Electronic weighing machines over 30 kg up to 5 000 kg, excluding vehicle scales | 8423 82 20 00 | 0% | None |
| Non-electronic checkweighers over 30 kg up to 5 000 kg | 8423 82 81 00 | 0% | None |
| Parts for specified electronic weighing machinery, including checkweighers | 8423 90 10 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the weighing window and reject system
Specify pack dimensions, weight range, maximum capacity, division, accuracy class, belt width, line speed and spacing between packs. Agree the permitted weighing error using your actual packs in motion. Include light, heavy, unstable and closely spaced packs in the acceptance trial.
Define the reject mechanism, collection arrangement, air supply, full-bin response, product-change settings and data export. Specify cleaning conditions, conveyor height and connections to adjacent equipment. Ask for spare belt and load-cell details.
For trade-use instruments, the importer must ensure the required conformity assessment has been completed before sale or use in Great Britain. Check the declaration, relevant conformity marking, metrology marking and applicable English operating information. Machinery safety compliance also requires conformity assessment, a declaration and relevant marking. Arrange testing and certification around the intended use.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: an electronic conveyor checkweigher for a packing line under 8423 81 21 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £2,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £32,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £32,200, so it is £6,440. 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
Dynamic weighing: run representative packs at the agreed speed and spacing; compare readings with reference weights and repeat the trial after warm-up.
Rejection: introduce underweight and overweight packs, then check that the correct pack reaches the reject collection point without diverting its neighbour.
Documents and identity: match the machine, load cell and controller to the supplied conformity documents; inspect the markings and operating information.
Arrival and installation: check belt tracking, transport damage, loose connections, guards, emergency stops and cleaning access. Repeat the agreed inspection trial after installation.
What goes wrong
A machine can give stable readings while stopped yet misread moving packs. Short weighing windows, vibration from neighbouring conveyors, poor belt tracking and irregular pack spacing can undermine the agreed performance. A delayed reject signal can divert the next pack.
Temperature drift, moisture around connections and substituted load cells can also cause problems. Keep the accepted pack trial, machine configuration and document set together, then compare the delivered machine against them before accepting it.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on industrial checkweighers from China?
The relevant heading 8423 checkweigher and parts lines carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff record, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Do industrial checkweighers need trade approval?
For trade-use instruments, the importer must ensure the required measuring-instrument conformity assessment has been completed before sale or use in Great Britain. Settle the intended use before ordering.
How should I test a conveyor checkweigher?
Use your actual packs at the agreed speed and spacing. Compare moving-pack readings with reference weights and verify that underweight and overweight packs are correctly rejected.
Which commodity code covers electronic checkweighers?
8423 81 21 00 covers electronic checkweighers with maximum capacity not exceeding 30 kg. Heavier electronic machines may fall under 8423 82 20 00; confirm capacity and function.