Sourcing carbon-graphite seal rings from China

Duty on carbon-graphite seal rings

Heading 6815 includes non-electrical graphite and other carbon articles. For the machined carbon-graphite rings covered here, the relevant line is 6815 19 00 00. The table shows seal-ring variants under this same line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions. See the graphite crucibles guide for the wider heading.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, the supplied snapshot records 0% duty for goods from China across heading 6815, including 6815 19 00 00. It records no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls for this line.

Confirm the material, impregnation and condition as supplied with your customs broker, particularly if the shipment includes a complete seal assembly rather than loose rings. The commodity code must appear on the import declaration. Use finding your commodity code before ordering.

Specify the carbon grade and sealing face

Name the carbon-graphite grade and require agreement before substitution. State whether the ring is unimpregnated or impregnated, identify the impregnant, and request a material certificate linked to the production batch. Give the factory the working fluid, operating temperature, pressure, mating-face material and intended running conditions.

Specify bore, outside diameter, thickness, locating features, dimensional tolerances, face flatness and surface finish on the drawing. Agree how the factory will measure the sealing face and demonstrate fit in the intended assembly. Define acceptable edge condition and packaging that prevents contact with the sealing faces.

UK REACH generally applies to substances in articles. Request composition information for the ring and its impregnant so you can review the applicable chemical obligations before supply in Great Britain.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 5,000 machined carbon-graphite seal rings under 6815 19 00 00, invoiced at £38,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £39,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £39,800, so it is £7,960. 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

Material: check the grade, impregnant and batch certificate against the approved specification.

Geometry: check bore, outside diameter, thickness and locating features against the drawing, then trial-fit a sample.

Sealing face: check flatness and finish using the agreed method; inspect for scratches, chips and visible pores.

Packing: check that rings are individually protected, faces are clean and batch identification remains readable. Use the quality inspection guide to brief the inspector.

What goes wrong

A ring can match the drawing dimensions but use a different carbon grade or impregnant from the approved sample. This can change wear, fluid compatibility and leakage behaviour. Keep the material approval separate from dimensional acceptance and compare production samples with the intended mating face.

Chipped edges, scratched faces, uneven lapping and damaged locating slots can make an otherwise acceptable ring unusable. Inspect before shipment and again on arrival. Do not accept a visual inspection as proof of face flatness or leak performance; agree measurement and assembly testing with the supplier.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.