Lathes and CNC turning centres from China
Lathes for removing metal from China, including horizontal and vertical CNC turning centres, CNC lathes and manual and bench lathes, pay 2% UK duty on all 8 lines, with no anti-dumping duty. Lathes are machinery that must meet the UK machinery supply rules, and accuracy is proved by tests on the machine, not the brochure. Cambridge China Bridge sources lathes.
CNC turning centres, CNC lathes, bench lathes and other metal lathes from China pay 2% UK duty. Machinery safety, accuracy tests, installation and an example.
2% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, lathes, including turning centres, for removing metal, heading 8458, carried 2% on goods from China on all eight lines, horizontal or not and numerically controlled or not, with no anti-dumping measure.
Tool holders, chucks and other accessories are in our machine tool holders guide, and general guidance on importing machinery is in our machinery guide. Confirm the commodity code from the bed orientation and control type.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizontal turning centres, numerically controlled | 8458 11 20 00 | 2% | None |
| Horizontal NC lathes, single spindle | 8458 11 41 00 | 2% | None |
| Other horizontal lathes (manual, bench) | 8458 19 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Other turning centres, numerically controlled (vertical) | 8458 91 20 00 | 2% | None |
| Other lathes, not numerically controlled | 8458 99 00 00 | 2% | None |
Machinery rules
A lathe placed on the UK market must meet the essential health and safety requirements of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, with a declaration of conformity, UKCA or accepted marking, and instructions in English. The type standard for turning machines is BS EN ISO 23125, which covers guards, chuck and spindle safety and control functions.
The electrical equipment is expected to follow BS EN 60204-1, and a used or reconditioned machine still needs to be safe when supplied and used.
Specifying a lathe
Specify swing over bed and cross slide, distance between centres or maximum turning length, spindle bore and nose, spindle power and speed, turret or tool post, tailstock, CNC control brand and options, bar feeder or sub-spindle, positioning accuracy and repeatability with the test method, and the voltage and supply. Name the parts you will cut, so the factory can run them at acceptance.
Worked duty example
An invented example rather than a quote: 6 horizontal CNC turning centres, commodity code 8458 11 20 00, bought for £150,000 free on board, with £9,000 of freight and insurance, so £159,000 is the value customs works from. Duty at the 2% rate for CNC turning centres is £3,180. VAT at 20% applies to £162,180, so £32,436. A VAT-registered buyer usually recovers the VAT, so the border adds £3,180 to the landed cost. See calculating UK import duty and VAT for the method.
Inspection checklist
Geometric accuracy: check spindle run-out, bed alignment and tailstock alignment against the test conditions of ISO 13041 for NC turning machines, and positioning accuracy and repeatability of the axes by laser measurement against the contract.
Safety: check guards, door interlocks and chuck guarding against BS EN ISO 23125, test every emergency stop, and check the electrical panel against BS EN 60204-1.
Cutting test and documents: run the agreed test parts on the machine at the factory and measure them, and check the declaration of conformity, English manual and spares list before crating.
What goes wrong
Lathes fail on accuracy, controls and paperwork. Machines cut out of tolerance after shipping because the bed was not levelled or was knocked in transit, the CNC control is a different version from the one quoted or its menus are not in English, door interlocks can be bypassed, and the declaration and technical file do not match the machine delivered.
Run a factory acceptance test on your own parts, record geometric accuracy before crating, and plan levelling and a repeat test on installation. See our quality inspection guide.
Cambridge China Bridge sources CNC turning centres and lathes for UK machine shops and training centres, checking the builder's assembly and inspection capability before an order. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on CNC lathes from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 26 September 2026, lathes and turning centres of heading 8458 carried 2% from China.
What safety standard covers lathes?
BS EN ISO 23125 is the type standard for turning machines, under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008.
How do I check a lathe's accuracy?
Measure geometric accuracy to ISO 13041 and cut test parts at the factory, then repeat after installation.
Can I buy a single machine?
Yes; most builders sell single machines, and crating and sea freight are planned per machine.