Sourcing metal polishing machines from China
Metal polishing machines from China under heading 8460 pay 0% UK duty across the heading, with no listed trade remedies. New machines sold in Great Britain must carry UKCA or CE marking, a declaration of conformity and English instructions. Prove the finish on your own parts. Cambridge China Bridge sources metal polishing machines.
Duty and classification for metal polishing machines
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 October 2026, heading 8460 covers machine tools finishing metal or cermets using grinding stones, abrasives or polishing products. Metal polishing machines are included in the residual line 8460 90 00 00. The table also shows related honing, lapping and grinding lines for buyers comparing finishing processes; these are distinct machine functions.
All listed lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls. Import VAT is separate from customs duty.
Confirm the commodity code using the machine's actual process, workpiece material and control system, rather than its sales name. See the grinding machines guide for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other metal-finishing machines, including polishing machines | 8460 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Numerically controlled honing or lapping machines | 8460 40 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other honing or lapping machines | 8460 40 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Other non-numerically controlled grinding machines | 8460 29 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the polishing process and test part
State the metal, part shape, incoming surface condition and required final finish. Specify polishing wheel or belt type, consumables, spindle speed range, contact pressure, workholding, feed and access to curved surfaces. Agree a reference sample and a method for checking surface roughness and appearance.
Define extraction connections, cleaning access, electrical supply and replacement consumables. New machinery placed on the Great Britain market must be UKCA or CE marked, supplied with a declaration of conformity and English instructions. Include these documents in the purchase specification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 5 automated metal polishing machines under 8460 90 00 00, invoiced at £110,000 free on board, with £7,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £117,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £117,000, so it is £23,400. 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
Finish: polish your own representative parts and inspect scratches, haze, edge rounding and colour differences against the agreed sample.
Workholding: check that fixtures retain the part during polishing, feeds remain consistent and contact pressure does not distort thin sections.
Guarding and extraction: check access to rotating tools, guard operation, emergency stops and extraction connections during a witnessed trial.
Arrival and documents: inspect spindle damage, loose fixtures and moisture after unpacking; match the machine identity to its declaration, marking and English manual.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A polished demonstration part can hide poor performance on your material. Inconsistent pressure leaves streaks, unsuitable compounds leave residue, and excessive contact rounds edges or distorts thin parts. Ask the factory to demonstrate the complete process using your parts and proposed consumables.
Fixtures can shift in transit and polishing residue can obstruct cleaning access. Record the factory trial, brace moving assemblies for shipment and repeat the agreed finish test after installation. Use the quality inspection guide to plan these checks.
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 metal polishing machines from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 0% duty under 8460 90 00 00, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing measures. Import VAT is separate.
Do metal polishing machines need CE or UKCA marking?
New machinery placed on the Great Britain market must carry UKCA or CE marking, a declaration of conformity and instructions in English.
How do I check a factory's polishing finish?
Send representative parts with the actual metal and incoming finish. Agree a reference sample, inspect appearance and measure the specified surface roughness after the trial.
Are polishing and lapping machines the same commodity code?
No. Polishing machines are included in 8460 90 00 00; honing or lapping machines have separate lines. Confirm classification from the actual finishing process.