Sourcing linear ball bearings from China
Linear ball bearings from China carry 8% UK duty on the selected ball-bearing lines; replacement balls carry 6%, and qualifying other parts have a 0% suspension. Confirm the commodity code for the actual assembly and verify any branded bearings are genuine. Cambridge China Bridge sources linear ball bearings.
Duty on linear ball bearings and their parts
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 8482 covers ball or roller bearings and their parts. This guide concerns linear ball bearings for straight-line travel, including sleeve-type bearings. The table separates complete ball bearings from replacement balls and other bearing parts; it is not a list of interchangeable codes.
The selected complete ball-bearing lines carry 8% duty from China, replacement balls under 8482 91 90 90 carry 6%, and other parts under 8482 99 00 90 have a 0% suspension. The ball-bearing lines also list narrowly defined authorised-use suspensions; do not assume these cover ordinary linear bearings. No anti-dumping or countervailing measures or additional import controls are recorded for these selected lines in the supplied tariff facts.
Send your broker the drawing, external dimensions and details of everything supplied together to confirm the commodity code. Bearing housings and plain shaft bearings belong to heading 8483. For the wider product family, see ball and roller bearings.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball bearings, greatest external diameter not exceeding 30 mm, other | 8482 10 10 90 | 8% | None |
| Other ball bearings | 8482 10 90 00 | 8% | None |
| Other bearing balls, needles and rollers, including replacement balls | 8482 91 90 90 | 6% | None |
| Other bearing parts | 8482 99 00 90 | 8% | None |
Specify the bearing and its mating shaft
Specify closed, open or adjustable construction, flange shape, shaft diameter, outside diameter, length and mounting details. State whether you need a loose sleeve or a housed assembly. Agree the mating shaft material, hardness, surface finish and dimensional tolerance, together with working load, travel, speed and operating environment.
Agree permissible play, running resistance, seal arrangement, lubricant and relubrication access. Ask for material and hardness records and test samples on the intended shaft. Request composition information for metal parts, retainers and seals: inclusion of a substance on the UK REACH Candidate List brings obligations for suppliers of that substance.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of closed linear ball bearings, subject to commodity-code confirmation under 8482 10 90 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,500. Duty at 8% is £360. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,860, so it is £972. Import taxes total £1,332; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £360 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit and dimensions: measure the bore, outside diameter, length and mounting features against the approved drawing; check fit on the specified shaft.
Travel and play: move samples along a representative shaft under the agreed load; check sticking, uneven resistance, noise and lateral play.
Balls, seals and grease: inspect ball retention and circulation, seal seating, lubricant distribution and visible contamination; compare with the approved sample.
Identity and packing: match markings and batch records to the order, verify branded goods are genuine, and inspect rust protection and transport damage. Agree the sampling and checks through quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A matching catalogue designation can conceal different dimensions or running clearances. Bearings may slide freely without load but bind after mounting because the housing distorts the sleeve or the shaft is misaligned. Poor shaft finish, contamination and inadequate lubrication can cause rough travel and early wear.
Open bearings can arrive with the wrong opening orientation, flanges can miss the mounting pattern, and tight seals can increase running resistance. Retest delivered samples on the intended shaft before releasing stock. If bearings carry another brand and authorisation is unclear, verify their authenticity with the brand owner and confirm any trade mark concerns with Trading Standards before selling them.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For machinery and equipment, see machinery imports.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on linear ball bearings from China?
The selected complete ball-bearing lines carry 8%. Replacement balls carry 6%; qualifying other bearing parts have a 0% suspension. Named-use relief is conditional, so confirm the exact code and eligibility.
Will a matching part number guarantee shaft compatibility?
Check the drawing and test on your intended shaft. Agree dimensions, shaft tolerance, permissible play and running resistance rather than relying on the designation alone.
Should I order open or closed linear ball bearings?
Match the construction to the shaft support and housing. Specify the opening orientation for open bearings, and check mounting clearance and load direction on your assembly drawing.
How should I check linear ball bearings on arrival?
Measure fit and mounting dimensions, test loaded travel and play on a representative shaft, inspect seals and grease, and check batch identity, corrosion and ball retention.