Sourcing measuring and inspection machines from China
Measuring and checking instruments from China, including coordinate measuring machines, profile projectors, vision inspection systems, balancing machines and their parts, pay 0% UK duty; test benches pay 2%. None has anti-dumping duty. Settle calibration, software and machinery safety. Cambridge China Bridge sources measuring and inspection equipment for factories and labs.
CMMs, profile projectors, vision systems and balancing machines pay 0% UK duty from China; test benches 2%. Calibration and safety explained.
Duty by type
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, machines for balancing mechanical parts, optical instruments for inspecting semiconductor wafers, profile projectors, other optical measuring instruments, instruments for measuring geometrical quantities, other measuring or checking instruments, and parts carried 0% duty on goods from China. Test benches carried 2%. None had an anti-dumping measure.
Instruments with their own headings, such as thermometers, flow meters and electrical testers, are classified elsewhere; confirm the commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balancing machines | 9031 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Test benches | 9031 20 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Optical instruments for inspecting semiconductor wafers or devices | 9031 41 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Profile projectors | 9031 49 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other optical measuring instruments | 9031 49 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Instruments for geometrical quantities, such as CMMs | 9031 80 20 00 | 0% | None |
| Other measuring or checking instruments | 9031 80 80 00 | 0% | None |
| Parts and accessories | 9031 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Calibration and accuracy
Ask for the accuracy specification to a named standard, such as the ISO 10360 series for CMMs, and a calibration certificate traceable to national standards. Plan a UK calibration after installation, because transport can shift a precision machine.
Probe systems, fixtures and software licences are often priced separately; list them in the order.
Safety and software
Powered machines and test benches need machinery, electrical safety and EMC evidence with UKCA or CE marking, and laser scanners need a laser class. Ask whether the measurement software exports to your quality system and who supports it in English.
Acceptance
Agree a factory acceptance test on your own parts, and a site acceptance test after installation, before the final payment. The inspection guide covers how to structure it.
Cambridge China Bridge sources measuring and inspection machines, with accuracy, calibration and acceptance tests settled before the order. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on CMMs from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, coordinate measuring machines and other instruments for geometrical quantities carried 0% duty from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
Which heading 9031 line is not zero?
Test benches, which carried 2%.
What calibration evidence should I ask for?
An accuracy specification to a named standard and a calibration certificate traceable to national standards, followed by a UK calibration after installation.
Do measuring machines need UKCA or CE marking?
Powered machines need machinery, electrical safety and EMC evidence with UKCA or CE marking.