Sourcing machine tool clamping kits from China
Machine tool clamping kits within heading 8466 carry 0% UK duty from China across the relevant lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty recorded. Supply-chain safety obligations include safe-use instructions and necessary testing or examination. Agree slot fit, threads and material before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources machine tool clamping kits.
Zero duty, with classification based on the supplied kit
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 October 2026, heading 8466 covers machine tool parts and accessories, including work holders. For clamping kits, examine the line for sets of standard jig and fixture components and the other work-holder lines. The table includes related lathe work holders and special attachments; these are classification candidates for different products, rather than interchangeable codes for a strap-clamp kit.
The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty on all these lines for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. Elsewhere in the heading, 8466 93 40 00 and 8466 93 60 00 have a fluorinated greenhouse gas import control. If a shipment is classified there, the importer should confirm the requirement with their customs broker.
Confirm the commodity code using the component list, drawings, intended machine and whether the shipment contains a complete kit or separate replacements. See machine vices and wider workholding for related products.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jigs, fixtures and sets of standard jig and fixture components | 8466 20 20 00 | 0% | None |
| Other work holders for machines other than lathes | 8466 20 98 00 | 0% | None |
| Other work holders for lathes | 8466 20 91 00 | 0% | None |
| Special machine attachments, including qualifying workholding attachments | 8466 30 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify slot fit, threads and clamp geometry
Send a drawing of the machine table slot, including its opening, internal width and depth. Specify the slot-nut profile, stud thread and pitch, stud lengths, strap-clamp reach, clamp thickness and the range of step blocks. List every component and its quantity, including flange nuts, coupling nuts and the storage rack. A kit described only by its thread size leaves the slot fit unresolved.
Agree steel grades, heat treatment, hardness acceptance, surface finish and rust protection for each load-bearing component. Ask for the supplier's tightening guidance and evidence supporting any claimed clamping capacity. Supply-chain safety obligations include safe-use instructions and the testing or examination necessary to ensure compliance. Use that information to review the proposed setup with the machine operator before approving the sample.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 500 machine tool clamping kits under 8466 20 20 00, invoiced at £24,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £24,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £24,900, so it is £4,980. 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
Fit: try sample slot nuts in the intended table or an agreed gauge. Check that they slide freely, sit beneath the slot lips and allow the stud to engage without bottoming against the table.
Threads and geometry: gauge stud and nut threads, inspect engagement and burrs, and check clamp contact faces and matching step-block teeth against the approved drawings.
Material and loading: compare material and heat-treatment records with the order. Check sample hardness and carry out the agreed clamping trial using the supplier's tightening guidance.
Completeness and packing: count components against the packing list, inspect for cracks, rust and damaged threads, and check that heavy parts are secured inside the case. Arrange quality inspection before dispatch.
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What goes wrong
A nominally matching thread does not guarantee that the slot nut fits the table. Oversized nuts jam, undersized profiles give poor support, and studs that bottom against the table can appear tight without securing the workpiece. Clamp reach and support height can also leave the strap bearing on an edge rather than its intended contact area.
Soft studs, poorly formed threads and mismatched step blocks can fail during tightening or let the workpiece move. Mixed components in replacement batches make these faults harder to spot. Keep the approved sample and component drawings, and isolate kits that fail the agreed fit or loading checks.
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 machine tool clamping kits from China?
The relevant heading 8466 lines carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff record, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the code for the actual kit.
Which commodity code covers a machine tool clamping kit?
8466 20 20 00 covers jigs, fixtures and sets of standard jig and fixture components. Other work-holder lines may suit a different assembly. Confirm classification from the contents and intended use.
Will a kit fit my milling machine table?
Check the complete slot profile and slot-nut dimensions, as well as stud thread and pitch. Approve a sample fit on the intended table; matching the advertised thread size alone is insufficient.
What should I ask the factory to test?
Ask for thread gauging, slot-nut fit, clamp geometry, sample hardness and an agreed clamping trial. Match the test setup and tightening guidance to the intended machine and workpiece.