Sourcing marine rudder gudgeons from China
Marine rudder gudgeons entered under heading 8487 carry 0% UK duty from China across the listed material lines. Confirm the residual classification and pintle fit; importers are responsible for the safety of consumer-use parts. Cambridge China Bridge sources marine rudder gudgeons.
Zero duty where heading 8487 applies
Heading 8487 covers machinery parts without electrical features that are not specified elsewhere in the chapter. A rudder gudgeon is the socket or support that receives the matching pintle. The selected rows distinguish casting, forging and other manufacturing routes and materials; they are classification candidates, not confirmation that every gudgeon belongs here.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, all selected lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension, steel measure or attached import control for these lines.
This is a residual heading, and bearings have their own headings. Give your customs broker the drawing, material, manufacturing process and intended function, especially for gudgeons incorporating a separate bearing. Confirm the commodity code before ordering. For the mating component and related heading coverage, see marine rudder pintles.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cast steel rudder gudgeons, where classified under this heading | 8487 90 51 90 | 0% | None |
| Forged iron or steel rudder gudgeons, where classified under this heading | 8487 90 57 90 | 0% | None |
| Other iron or steel rudder gudgeons, where classified under this heading | 8487 90 59 90 | 0% | None |
| Bronze or other non-ferrous rudder gudgeons, where classified under this heading | 8487 90 90 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the gudgeon bore and mounting geometry
Provide the mating pintle drawing, bore diameter and tolerance, bearing length, mounting hole positions, mounting face geometry and any bush specification. State whether bushes and fasteners are included. For replacement parts, record the existing installation rather than relying on a catalogue photograph.
Specify the alloy, casting or forging route, heat treatment, surface finish and corrosion protection. Agree acceptance criteria for cracks and casting defects, and request material certificates tied to the heat and a first article dimensional report. Have the buyer's marine engineer approve the load assumptions, pintle clearance and compatibility with adjacent metals.
For parts intended for or foreseeably used by consumers, the General Product Safety Regulations apply in Great Britain. Importers and sellers of consumer products are responsible for their safety. Check the supplied assembly against the Recreational Craft Regulations' scope for separately marketed watercraft components before agreeing conformity marking.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 40 forged steel marine rudder gudgeons for a boat repair business, illustrative order under 8487 90 57 90, 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
Bore and fit: measure bore size, roundness and bearing length against the drawing; trial-fit the matching pintle and bush and check movement through the intended steering travel.
Mounting: check hole positions, mounting face flatness and bore alignment using the installation datums; confirm that supplied fasteners and bushes match the approved specification.
Material and soundness: match heat identification to material certificates; check chemistry, heat treatment and agreed hardness, and perform the specified surface or internal defect testing.
Arrival condition: inspect for impact damage, corrosion, burrs and blocked lubrication passages; check that finished bores were protected and batch identification remains legible. Plan the stages through quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
A bore can meet its diameter tolerance yet bind because its axis or mounting face is wrong. Excess clearance can create play, while rough bores and mismatched bushes accelerate wear. Casting porosity may appear only after machining, and a substituted alloy can undermine the corrosion performance assumed by the designer.
Approve the first article with the mating pintle or an agreed gauge, then retain the drawing and inspection records for repeat orders. Quarantine parts with cracks, loose bushes or unexplained material discrepancies. Agree any repair with the buyer's engineer before accepting it; polishing away a defect does not establish soundness.
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 rudder gudgeons from China?
The selected heading 8487 lines carry 0% duty from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the code for the actual part and material.
What drawings should I send a gudgeon factory?
Send the gudgeon and mating pintle drawings, including bore tolerance, bearing length, mounting datums, hole positions, alloy and bush details. State which components are included.
Do marine rudder gudgeons need CE or UKCA marking?
Check the exact part or assembly against the Recreational Craft Regulations' component scope before agreeing marking. Ask for an assessment of your product rather than accepting a generic supplier certificate.
How do I check that a gudgeon fits my rudder pintle?
Measure the bore and mounting geometry against the approved drawing, then trial-fit the matching pintle and bush. Check clearance and movement through the intended steering travel.