Sourcing mobile harbour cranes from China

Zero duty, with classification by chassis

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 8426 covers cranes, ships' derricks, mobile lifting frames, straddle carriers and works trucks fitted with a crane. Mobile harbour cranes need classification by their actual construction, particularly self-propulsion, tyres and mounting arrangement.

All listed commodity lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied snapshot lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions, steel measures or import controls. The table gives chassis-dependent candidates rather than interchangeable codes; the new mobile crane line has a lifting-capacity threshold of at least 30 tonnes.

Send the chassis drawings, propulsion details, lifting capacity and new or used condition to your customs broker to confirm the commodity code. For other cargo-handling equipment within the wider heading, see container straddle carriers.

Specify the load at the ship's working radius

Specify cargo type, required capacity at each working radius, lifting height above the quay and hook travel below it. Include the weight of grabs, spreaders and other attachments in the agreed lifting specification. Ask for load charts covering each attachment and stabiliser configuration, rather than accepting only a headline maximum capacity.

Agree quay bearing capacity, wheel and stabiliser reactions, travel routes, gradients, steering clearance and crane parking arrangements with the site team. Specify power supply, grab operation, corrosion protection, wind limits and access for maintenance. Safe lifting must be planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out safely.

For supply in Great Britain, confirm with HSE which requirements of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 apply, including essential health and safety compliance, a declaration of conformity, conformity marking and instructions in English. Agree responsibility for installation and thorough examination before shipment where safety depends on installation.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: one used compact tyre-mounted mobile harbour crane under 8426 41 00 00, invoiced at £48,000 free on board, with £10,600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £58,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £58,600, so it is £11,720. 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

Capacity and controls: witness the agreed factory load tests at the specified outreach and attachment configuration; check brakes, overload protection, limit switches and emergency stops.

Chassis and stability: check tyres or tracks, steering, stabiliser operation and pad dimensions against approved drawings; inspect hydraulic cylinders, hoses and connections for damage or leakage.

Structure and corrosion: check boom and chassis weld records, the agreed non-destructive inspection reports, coating coverage, drainage and exposed electrical connections; repeat damage checks on arrival.

Documents and handover: match the crane identity to its declaration, load charts, English manual and test records; check the delivered attachments and spares against the packing list. Use an agreed inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A quoted lifting capacity can conceal inadequate capacity at the outreach needed to reach the ship's hold. Attachment weight, restricted stabiliser positions or unsuitable quay loading can make the chosen crane unusable for the intended job. Resolve these points against site drawings and configuration-specific load charts before ordering.

Other failures include hydraulic leaks, transport damage to hoses and control cabinets, incomplete corrosion protection and documents covering a different crane configuration. Record arrival defects before commissioning, and arrange the installation-dependent thorough examination before first use.

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.