Sourcing industrial roller chains from China

Duty on industrial roller chains

Heading 7315 covers chain and parts of iron or steel. Industrial roller chain falls within other roller chain, code 7315 11 90 00; articulated chain parts have a separate line. The table repeats the roller-chain code for different buying specifications. For other chain families, see steel chain from China.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 19 October 2026, all supplied lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions, steel measure or attached import controls. Import VAT is separate from customs duty.

Confirm the commodity code against the actual chain construction and whether the shipment contains complete chain or separate parts. Chain entered as part of a machine may be classified elsewhere.

Pitch, sprocket fit and operating duty

Specify pitch, roller diameter, inner width, strand arrangement, finished length and connecting-link construction. Supply the mating sprocket drawing and identify any attachment plates or extended pins. Agree ISO 606 where appropriate, together with dimensional tolerances and the measuring load used for length checks.

Describe drive speed, operating load, shock loading, lubrication and exposure to moisture or chemicals. Agree material, pin and bush hardness, heat treatment, surface finish and batch test records. A breaking-force result alone does not establish suitability for repeated service.

Assess conformity requirements against intended use before sale. Components can be products in their own right and may need individual conformity assessment and marking. For chain designed for lifting, confirm with the relevant authority or a compliance adviser whether the machinery supply rules apply; agree the applicable documentation before ordering.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of industrial roller chain for machinery spares stock under 7315 11 90 00, invoiced at £21,000 free on board, with £2,400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £23,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £23,400, so it is £4,680. 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

Dimensions: measure pitch over a length under the agreed load, roller diameter, inner width and attachment positions against the approved drawing.

Articulation: check for tight links, damaged rollers, projecting pins and secure connecting links; trial the sample on the intended sprocket.

Material and tests: match batch records to the goods, review tensile results and check pin and bush hardness on sectioned samples.

Packing: check lubrication, corrosion protection, sealed packaging and batch identification before dispatch and again on arrival.

What goes wrong

A chain can resemble the approved sample yet have the wrong roller diameter or inner width, causing poor sprocket engagement. Uneven pin assembly creates tight links; inconsistent heat treatment can lead to wear and elongation. Check production samples rather than accepting a catalogue designation alone.

Connecting links and attachments are easy to substitute during production. Keep their drawings with the purchase specification and compare them with the delivered batch. Rust or missing lubricant on arrival should trigger inspection before installation; retain samples and batch records for investigating failures.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.