Sourcing injection moulds and tooling from China
Moulds from China, including injection and compression moulds for plastics, rubber and metal, mould bases, foundry moulding boxes and glass moulds, pay 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. The bigger point is the assist rule: a mould you pay for that stays in China makes your goods, so its cost is added to their customs value. Cambridge China Bridge sources moulds and manages tooling.
Injection moulds, mould bases and moulds for metal, glass and rubber pay 0% UK duty from China. Mould ownership and the assist rule explained.
Zero duty on moulds
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, every line of heading 8480 carried 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure: moulding boxes for metal foundry, mould bases, moulding patterns, moulds for metal or metal carbides, glass and mineral materials, and moulds for rubber or plastics.
Confirm the commodity code by the material the mould forms and whether it is injection or compression type.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moulding boxes for metal foundry | 8480 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Mould bases | 8480 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Moulding patterns, other than wood | 8480 30 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Moulds for metal or metal carbides, injection or compression | 8480 41 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Moulds for glass | 8480 50 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Moulds for mineral materials | 8480 60 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Moulds for rubber or plastics, injection or compression | 8480 71 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Moulds for rubber or plastics, other | 8480 79 00 00 | 0% | None |
The assist rule for moulds left in China
Most buyers never import the mould. HMRC's Method 1 valuation guidance says that if you provide tools, dies, moulds and similar items used to produce the imported goods, any part of their cost not included in the price charged by the seller must be included in the customs value. So a tooling charge paid to the factory is added to the value of the parts it makes, apportioned across shipments.
Keep the tooling invoice and your apportionment method with your customs records; the customs value guide explains the other additions.
Ownership and the tooling agreement
Put ownership in writing: the mould number, the price, that it belongs to you, that it will be used only for your parts, and how and when you can move it. Add a mould photo and a tag on the tool. The IP guide explains how to make that enforceable.
Specify steel grade, cavities, hot or cold runner, cycle time and guaranteed shot life, and who pays for maintenance.
Trials and approval
Approve the mould on first trial samples with a dimensional report, and sign off a golden sample before production. Ask for mould trial videos and the process sheet.
Cambridge China Bridge sources moulds and tooling, with ownership, customs value and trials settled before the order. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on moulds from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, every heading 8480 line, including injection moulds and mould bases, carried 0% duty from China.
Do I pay duty on a mould that stays in China?
Indirectly. HMRC treats a mould you provide for producing the goods as an assist, and any cost not in the seller's price must be added to the customs value of the goods.
How do I prove I own the mould?
A written tooling agreement with the mould number, price, ownership, exclusive use and removal terms, plus photos and a tag on the tool.
What should a mould specification include?
Steel grade, cavities, runner type, cycle time, guaranteed shot life and maintenance responsibility.