Sourcing metal fusion machines from China
Metal powder bed fusion machines from China carry 2% UK duty; other dedicated parts listed here carry 0%. New machinery sold in Great Britain needs CE or UKCA marking, a declaration of conformity and English instructions. Cambridge China Bridge sources metal powder bed fusion machines.
Duty on machines and dedicated parts
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 18 October 2026, metal additive manufacturing machines under 8485 10 00 00 carried 2% duty on goods from China. Other dedicated parts under 8485 90 90 90 carried 0%. These selected lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control.
Heading 8485 covers additive manufacturing machines. The machine rows describe different configurations sharing the same tariff line, rather than separate classifications. Powder, standalone extraction equipment and general-purpose components need separate classification checks. Confirm the commodity code from the machine specification and parts drawings. See the wider printer guide for other printing equipment.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laser metal powder bed fusion machines | 8485 10 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Other dedicated parts for metal additive manufacturing machines | 8485 90 90 90 | 0% | None |
Specify the build process and powder workflow
Specify laser or electron beam processing, usable build envelope, intended alloys, powder characteristics, layer settings and the acceptance part. Agree dimensional tolerances, density testing, surface finish and the condition in which parts will be measured. Identify whether powder sieving, recovery, cooling, gas supply and build removal equipment are included.
New machinery placed on the Great Britain market must have CE or UKCA marking, a declaration of conformity and English instructions. Ask for documents matching the supplied configuration, together with electrical drawings and maintenance instructions. Where dangerous substances create workplace fire or explosion risks, employers must protect people from those risks. Plan powder handling, cleaning and filter changes before ordering.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: A compact metal powder bed fusion machine for a small workshop, illustrative only under 8485 10 00 00, invoiced at £60,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £63,000. Duty at 2% is £1,260. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £64,260, so it is £12,852. Import taxes total £14,112; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,260 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Build trial: use the agreed alloy and acceptance file; record process settings, measure parts across the build area and compare density and finish with the purchase specification.
Powder handling: witness loading, recovery and cleaning; check seals, transfer connections, filter access and material identification against the agreed workflow.
Safety and documents: have a competent person witness enclosure interlocks, emergency stops and fault responses; match the declaration, marking and English instructions to the machine supplied.
Arrival and support: inspect transit restraints, optics protection, chamber cleanliness and loose connections; repeat the acceptance build after installation. Agree replacement recoater parts, filters, software access and commissioning support through the inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A supplier's demonstration part may use an alloy or process recipe different from the buyer's production work. Distortion, porosity and uneven results across the build area can remain hidden until the intended part is tested. Require the agreed file, material and measurement method in the acceptance trial.
Powder recovery equipment, gas connections or software permissions may be missing from the quoted package. HSE research found the highest surface metal concentrations around powder transfer tasks. Treat loading and cleaning as part of the equipment assessment, and agree who installs the machine, trains operators and restores it after a fault.
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 powder bed fusion machines from China?
The supplied tariff data shows 2% for machines under 8485 10 00 00 and 0% for other dedicated parts under 8485 90 90 90, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty on those lines.
What documents should a Chinese machine supplier provide?
For new machinery placed on the Great Britain market, check CE or UKCA marking, a declaration of conformity and English instructions. Ask for documents matching the supplied configuration.
How should I test a metal powder bed fusion machine?
Run your acceptance file with the intended alloy and agreed settings. Measure dimensions, density and finish across the build area, then repeat the trial after installation.
Does the machine price include powder handling equipment?
Confirm the package explicitly: powder loading, sieving, recovery, filters, gas supply, cooling and build removal equipment. Agree software permissions, consumables and commissioning support in writing.