Sourcing machine-tool dead centres from China

Dead-centre duty and classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 8466 covers machine-tool parts and accessories, including work holders. For lathe dead centres, the relevant work-holder line to check is 8466 20 91 00. The table shows product variants sharing that line, rather than separate tariff categories.

The supplied tariff record lists 0% duty for goods from China throughout this heading, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. No import controls are attached to the lathe work-holder line. Elsewhere in the heading, 8466 93 40 00 and 8466 93 60 00 have fluorinated greenhouse gas import controls; if either is proposed, ask your customs broker to confirm the requirement.

Confirm the commodity code using the centre's function and intended machine. Do not choose a general machine-part code solely because the centre is made of steel. See machine-tool live centres for related accessories within the wider heading.

Specify the taper and working point

A dead centre has a fixed working point rather than a bearing-supported rotating point. Specify the shank taper designation, seating length, tang or extraction arrangement, point angle and usable projection. Identify whether the centre is for the headstock or tailstock, and provide the machine maker's drawing or an approved sample.

State whether you want hardened steel or a carbide-tipped centre. Agree hardness, tip attachment, point-to-shank concentricity and surface finish against the drawing. For half centres, define the relieved face and tool clearance. Ask for lubrication guidance and operating limits for the intended workpiece and application.

HSE states that suppliers must supply safe work equipment. Employers must provide safe equipment for use at work. Treat fit checks and usable instructions as part of the buying brief, alongside dimensional acceptance.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 500 machine-tool dead centres under 8466 20 91 00, invoiced at £5,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,900, so it is £1,180. 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

Taper fit: clean the shank, check contact against a matching master socket and confirm seating and extraction without forcing the centre.

Point accuracy: check point geometry and concentricity relative to the shank taper using a suitable fixture and indicator; compare results with the agreed drawing.

Material and tip: check batch hardness results, inspect carbide attachment for cracks or gaps, and examine the working point for chips and grinding damage.

Arrival condition: inspect for rust, burrs and damaged tangs; confirm individual point protection, variant identification and the supplier's use and lubrication instructions.

What goes wrong

A taper that contacts only locally can seat poorly even when its designation looks correct. An eccentric or damaged point can spoil workpiece alignment and finish. Weak carbide attachment, soft steel and unprotected tips can leave centres unusable on arrival.

A stationary tailstock point has sliding contact with the rotating workpiece. Poor lubrication or unsuitable operating conditions can cause heat and scoring. Agree application guidance before ordering, and hold damaged or poorly fitting centres out of use while the supplier investigates.

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.