Sourcing magnetic powder brakes from China
Magnetic powder brakes and identifiable brake parts from China carry 0% UK duty on the relevant heading 8505 lines. Compliance depends on the supplied product and its intended function; a brake supplied as a safety component needs a machinery scope check. Cambridge China Bridge sources magnetic powder brakes.
Zero duty on brakes and identifiable parts
Heading 8505 covers electromagnetic brakes as well as magnets, clutches and other magnetic devices. Magnetic powder brakes use electromagnetic excitation to control braking torque. Complete brakes are candidates for 8505 20 00 90; identifiable brake parts are candidates for 8505 90 90 90. The table shows brake variants sharing a code, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the relevant complete-brake and other-parts lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines.
Confirm the commodity code using the drawing, operating principle and description of what is shipped. A controller supplied separately needs its own classification review. For related products within the heading, see magnetic powder clutches.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnetic powder brakes with shaft mounting | 8505 20 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Other identifiable magnetic powder brake parts | 8505 90 90 90 | 0% | None |
Specify torque, slip heat and mounting
State the required braking torque across the working speed range, excitation current and voltage, continuous slip duty, permitted temperature rise and cooling arrangement. Request a torque-versus-current curve and a thermal test using the intended duty cycle. Specify shaft or bore dimensions, keyway, mounting face, rotation direction, residual drag and compatibility with the intended controller.
For Great Britain, assess the brake and any supplied controller against the electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility scope. Electrical safety scope includes equipment designed for alternating current between 50 and 1,000 volts or direct current between 75 and 1,500 volts, subject to exclusions. Electromagnetic compatibility rules cover equipment liable to generate disturbance, with exceptions.
Machinery rules also cover safety components. Ask whether the proposed brake is supplied for a safety function and obtain a documented scope assessment. For apparatus within electromagnetic compatibility scope, importers must check the manufacturer's conformity assessment before placing it on the Great Britain market; confirm with the relevant authority what technical documentation checks are required. Use testing and certification to review the exact supplied configuration.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 20 magnetic powder brakes, not a supplier quotation under 8505 20 00 90, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,600, so it is £720. 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
Torque response: measure torque at agreed excitation settings, repeat after warming, and check for uneven response, excessive residual drag or delayed release.
Thermal performance: run the agreed slip-duty test with the specified cooling arrangement; record temperature and torque drift rather than accepting a cold static test.
Fit and condition: check shaft or bore, keyway and mounting dimensions against the drawing; inspect bearings, seals, terminals and housing for damage, leakage or corrosion.
Identity and records: match the delivered model, coil rating and cooling arrangement to the approved sample and test records. Include these checks in the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A brake can reach its quoted torque in a short test yet overheat during continuous slipping. Poor heat dissipation, an unsuitable powder charge or uneven powder distribution can produce torque drift or jerky tension control. Test with the intended speed, load and cooling before accepting the design.
Incorrect coil ratings, shaft dimensions or controller settings can make an apparently matching replacement unusable. Agree the drawing and test method before ordering, and check operation when excitation is removed. Do not accept a tension-control demonstration as evidence of the safety function you intend to use.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For components and parts, see sourcing for manufacturers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on magnetic powder brakes from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 0% on 8505 20 00 90 for complete electromagnetic brakes and 8505 90 90 90 for other identifiable parts, with no listed trade remedies.
What should I specify when buying a magnetic powder brake?
Specify torque across the speed range, excitation rating, continuous slip duty, cooling, mounting dimensions and residual drag. Ask for torque and thermal test records.
Does a magnetic powder brake need its own conformity marking?
Assess the supplied configuration and intended function. Components can be products in their own right and may need individual assessment and marking; a machinery safety-component scope check may also be needed.
How do I check a brake before accepting delivery?
Check dimensions and coil identity, measure torque against excitation, then repeat under the agreed slip duty after warming. Inspect bearings, seals and cooling connections.