Sourcing marine propeller boss caps from China
Marine propeller boss caps entered under the supplied heading 8487 lines carry 0% UK duty from China. Confirm classification from the cap drawing and function before ordering: the propeller description alone does not settle the code. Specify alloy, hub fit and retention details. Cambridge China Bridge sources marine propeller boss caps.
Zero duty, with classification checked first
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, all supplied lines under heading 8487 carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls. Import VAT is normally 20%.
Heading 8487 covers machinery parts without electrical features that are not specified elsewhere in the chapter, including ships' propellers and blades. The table shows material-based candidate lines for separately supplied caps, not confirmed classifications. Send the drawing, material, attachment method and intended function to your customs broker, and confirm the commodity code.
Do not assume a boss cap uses the bronze propeller line merely because it fits a bronze propeller. Review the wider assembly in our marine propeller hubs guide. Conformity marking is required only where sector-specific regulations require it; check the applicable product rules before requesting CE or UKCA marking.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other cast-steel machinery parts | 8487 90 51 90 | 0% | None |
| Other forged iron or steel machinery parts | 8487 90 57 90 | 0% | None |
| Other iron or steel machinery parts | 8487 90 59 90 | 0% | None |
| Other machinery parts of other materials | 8487 90 90 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the hub interface and cap retention
Identify whether the order is for a plain fairing cap, a finned cap or a cap incorporating a retaining feature. Supply the mating hub drawing, mounting register, internal clearance, overall profile, fastening arrangement and thread details where applicable. State rotation direction and fin orientation where relevant, and have the assembly designer approve changes to the profile or attachment.
Specify the alloy grade, manufacturing route, heat treatment where applicable, surface finish and agreed defect acceptance criteria. Ask for material certificates tied to the batch and a dimensional report for the first article. Approve a trial fit against the actual hub or an agreed inspection fixture before releasing production.
For supplies intended for use at work, HSE guidance includes safe-use information, updates and necessary testing or examination among supply-chain duties. Agree who provides fitting, retention and maintenance information, and retain the inspection evidence with the approved drawing.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 40 bronze marine propeller boss caps, assuming this classification is confirmed under 8487 90 90 90, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,000, so it is £1,200. 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: match certificates and batch identification to the ordered alloy; arrange composition verification where substitution would affect service performance.
Fit: measure the mounting register, mating face, fastening positions and internal clearance; check that the cap seats fully without fouling the shaft end or retaining hardware.
Soundness and finish: check cast surfaces for visible porosity and cracks, machined edges for burrs, and fins for damage; use the agreed surface or internal examination on critical areas.
Arrival: check cap identification against the drawing revision, inspect mating faces and threads for transit damage, and confirm that packing has kept fins and fastening surfaces separated.
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What goes wrong
A cap can match the outside profile yet fail to seat because its internal clearance, register or fastening pattern differs from the hub. A threaded cap may also have the wrong thread details. Resolve these interfaces on the drawing and trial-fit the approved sample; photographs alone cannot establish interchangeability.
Alloy substitution, casting porosity and damaged mating faces can make a finished cap unsuitable despite an acceptable appearance. Finned caps also need their orientation checked against the approved assembly drawing. Keep material and dimensional evidence linked to each batch, and agree the scope of quality inspection before shipment.
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 boss caps from China?
The supplied heading 8487 lines all carry 0% duty from China, with no listed trade remedies. Confirm the cap's classification before relying on that rate. Import VAT is normally 20%.
Which commodity code should I use for a bronze boss cap?
Confirm it from the drawing and function. The supplied other-material machinery-parts line is a candidate, but a separately supplied cap should not automatically use the bronze propeller code.
Do marine propeller boss caps need CE or UKCA marking?
Conformity marking is required only where sector-specific regulations require it. Check the rules applicable to the supplied cap and its function before asking the factory to apply a mark.
What should I send a Chinese boss-cap factory?
Send the cap and mating hub drawings, alloy grade, register and clearance details, fastening specification, surface finish and inspection criteria. Include rotation direction and fin orientation where relevant.