Sourcing marine propeller blades from China
Marine propeller blades from China carry 0% UK duty across the bronze and other-material tariff lines. Blades intended for consumer use must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Specify alloy, pitch and root fit before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources marine propeller blades.
Zero duty on marine propeller blades
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, marine propeller blades of bronze under 8487 10 10 00 and other materials under 8487 10 90 00 carried 0% duty from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines.
Heading 8487 includes ships’ or boats’ propellers and their blades. The table separates material variants sharing the same tariff codes. For the wider heading, see propellers and machinery parts.
Confirm the alloy and intended marine use through finding your commodity code. You must include the commodity code on the import declaration. Send the broker the blade drawing and material specification rather than describing the goods simply as metal castings.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickel aluminium bronze marine propeller blades | 8487 10 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Stainless steel marine propeller blades | 8487 10 90 00 | 0% | None |
Alloy, pitch and blade-root fit
Provide the approved drawing, alloy grade, rotation direction, pitch profile, blade thickness, surface finish and root attachment dimensions. Identify the receiving hub and agree how the factory will check fit. For replacement blades, specify the matching blade geometry rather than relying on a photograph.
Request material certificates tied to the casting heat and a first-article dimensional report. Agree the ISO 484 manufacturing tolerance class where specified for the assembled propeller, and distinguish individual blade measurements from the final assembly balance check.
For blades intended for or likely to be used by consumers in Great Britain, general product safety rules apply: consumer products must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Keep the intended application clear in the purchasing brief.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative batch of replacement nickel aluminium bronze marine propeller blades under 8487 10 10 00, invoiced at £27,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £29,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £29,000, so it is £5,800. 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: compare the certificates with blade identification and verify the alloy composition, particularly where nickel aluminium bronze is specified.
Geometry: measure pitch, thickness, root dimensions and attachment features against the approved drawing; compare replacement blades with the agreed mating components.
Casting: check for cracks, porosity and shrinkage; request the agreed penetrant and internal defect inspection records for critical areas.
Arrival: inspect edges and roots for transit damage, match each blade to its reports and check the assembled propeller’s balance before acceptance. Agree the scope through quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
An alloy substitution can leave a blade looking correct while failing the material specification. Casting cavities may emerge during machining or under load. Pitch errors and poor assembled balance cause vibration and reduce efficiency; an incorrect root can prevent a replacement blade fitting its hub.
Approve the first article with material and dimensional evidence before releasing production. Keep each blade linked to its inspection records, protect machined roots during packing and investigate damaged edges or unexplained differences between blades before installation.
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 marine propeller blades from China?
Both relevant lines carry 0%: 8487 10 10 00 for bronze and 8487 10 90 00 for other materials, according to the supplied tariff reading.
Which commodity code covers stainless steel propeller blades?
Marine propeller blades of stainless steel fall within the other-material line, 8487 10 90 00. Confirm the specification and marine application before declaring.
What should I send the factory for replacement blades?
Send the approved drawing, alloy grade, pitch profile, rotation direction, blade thickness and root dimensions, with details of the receiving hub and agreed fit checks.
How do I check bronze propeller blade quality?
Match material certificates to the casting heat, verify alloy composition, measure pitch and root fit, and review the agreed casting defect reports. Check balance on the assembled propeller.