Sourcing industrial strip brushes from China
Industrial strip brushes from China carry 2% UK duty across the relevant lines, with no anti-dumping duty recorded. Classification depends on whether the brush constitutes a machine, appliance or vehicle part. Brushes containing cat or dog fur cannot be imported. Cambridge China Bridge sources industrial strip brushes.
Duty and classification for industrial strip brushes
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, heading 9603 covers brushes, including brushes constituting parts of machines, appliances or vehicles. Industrial strip brushes comprise filaments retained in a channel, often supplied with a mounting holder. See the wider brush guide for other brush families.
The relevant lines carry 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. It attaches cat and dog fur import and export controls to both relevant codes. Imports and exports of cat and dog fur, including products made from it, are banned. Ask for a written filament-material declaration before ordering.
Start with 9603 50 00 00 for brushes constituting machine, appliance or vehicle parts. Consider 9603 90 99 00 for other industrial strip brushes, subject to confirmation. The table repeats the machine-part code for different applications rather than implying separate tariff lines. Confirm the commodity code using drawings, materials, mounting details and intended use.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strip brushes supplied as conveyor machine parts | 9603 50 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Other industrial strip brushes, subject to classification | 9603 90 99 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the channel, fill and mounting interface
Specify filament material, diameter, exposed length, stiffness and fill density. Define channel material, cross-section, overall length, straightness, end treatment and filament-retaining method. If supplied with a holder, draw its profile, fixing holes and mating interface. State whether the brush wipes, guides, seals a gap or excludes dust.
Describe contact pressure, movement direction, the contact surface, cleaning chemicals and operating environment. Agree dimensional tolerances and a retained sample. Request a trial assembly in the actual holder and a contact test against the intended surface. Record acceptable shedding, drag and surface marking rather than accepting a photograph as proof of fit.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative replacement-stock order of conveyor strip brushes for a machinery maintenance business under 9603 50 00 00, invoiced at £2,500 free on board, with £590 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,090. Duty at 2% is £61.80. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,151.80, so it is £630.36. Import taxes total £692.16; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £61.80 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Channel and holder: check profile, straightness, cut ends and fixing positions against the drawing; slide sampled strips into the intended holder.
Filament retention: check crimp consistency and pull sampled filaments using the agreed method; run a contact test and collect any shed material.
Working contact: check exposed fill length, density and recovery after deflection; look for gaps, excessive drag and scratches on the mating surface.
Arrival condition: check for bent channels, flattened fill, corrosion and mixed profiles; compare carton identification with the order and retained sample.
What goes wrong
A similar-looking channel can jam in the holder or slide out during use. Uneven fill leaves gaps, while excessive stiffness increases drag or marks the surface. Weak crimping releases filaments into the process. Substituted channel material can corrode after cleaning, and unsupported packing can bend long strips.
Approve the brush and holder together, record the material specification and repeat the agreed checks before dispatch and on arrival. Use the inspection guide to organise checks around mounting fit, retention and working contact.
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 strip brushes from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 2% for 9603 50 00 00 and 9603 90 99 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions recorded.
Which commodity code covers a conveyor strip brush?
9603 50 00 00 covers brushes constituting parts of machines, appliances or vehicles. Confirm that the supplied brush fits this description using its drawing and intended application.
What should I send the factory for a replacement strip brush?
Send the channel and holder drawings, mounting details, filament specification, working gap and contact surface. Include a retained sample where available and agree how fit and shedding will be checked.
Can I import strip brushes containing animal fur?
Cat and dog fur, and products made from it, are banned from import. Identify any animal-derived fill precisely and ask your customs broker to confirm the requirements before ordering.