Sourcing motorcycle tyres from China
New pneumatic motorcycle tyres from China carry a flat 4% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty or suspension listed for this line. Ask a vehicle approval specialist to confirm the approval marks required for the intended road use, then check the certificates against each ordered specification before shipment. Cambridge China Bridge sources motorcycle tyres.
Motorcycle tyre duty and scope
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 5 October 2026, heading 4011 covers new pneumatic rubber tyres. Motorcycle tyres fall under 4011 40 00 00 and carry 4% duty for goods from China. No anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension is listed for this line. The table shows product variants under the same commodity code.
The tariff attaches import and export waste controls. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste. For a shipment from China into England subject to notification controls, the exporter starts the consent application in the country of dispatch. Confirm the applicable requirement with your customs broker before shipping any goods whose waste status is uncertain.
Confirm the intended vehicle use and new pneumatic construction with your broker using finding your commodity code. For other vehicle tyres within the heading, see car, van and lorry tyres.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| New pneumatic front motorcycle tyres | 4011 40 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specify fitment, construction and road approval
Specify front or rear fitment, tyre size, compatible rim, radial or cross-ply construction, load index, speed rating and whether the tyre needs an inner tube. Record the intended road or off-road use, tread pattern and rotation direction. Approve a physical sample against the intended wheel before committing to the production range.
Ask a vehicle approval specialist to confirm whether UN Regulation No. 75 approval applies to the new road motorcycle tyres you intend to buy and what sidewall approval markings are required. Ask for certificates covering the specifications you order and compare them with the sample markings. Agree acceptable manufacturing dates and batch identification in the purchase specification.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 2,000 new motorcycle tyres under 4011 40 00 00, invoiced at £60,000 free on board, with £5,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £65,000. Duty at 4% is £2,600. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £67,600, so it is £13,520. Import taxes total £16,120; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £2,600 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fitment: compare tyre size, front or rear designation, construction and tube requirement with the order and approved sample.
Markings: compare approval marks and numbers, load index, speed rating and rotation arrows with the specification and certificates.
Condition: inspect beads, sidewalls and tread joins for damage, cracks, bulges and visible manufacturing defects.
Batch and performance: record date codes and batch identifiers, reconcile quantities by specification, and arrange sample mounting, air-retention and balance checks with suitable equipment.
What goes wrong
A catalogue can hide different constructions beneath similar tread names. Incorrect front or rear fitment, an unexpected tube requirement or a certificate that does not match the supplied tyre can make a batch unsuitable for the buyer's intended range. Keep the signed specification, sample photographs and certificate references together.
Old stock, distorted beads and sidewall damage can escape a carton-level count. Compare manufacturing dates and inspect sampled tyres before shipment, then repeat the condition checks on arrival. Hold suspect batches apart while the supplier investigates.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on motorcycle tyres from China?
New pneumatic motorcycle tyres under 4011 40 00 00 carry 4% duty in the supplied tariff reading. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is listed for that line.
Which approval should I check for road motorcycle tyres?
Ask a vehicle approval specialist to confirm whether UN Regulation No. 75 approval applies and what sidewall approval marks and numbers are required. Match any required sidewall approval mark and number to certificates covering the ordered specifications.
Do tubeless and tube-type motorcycle tyres use different codes?
The supplied tariff has a single motorcycle tyre line, 4011 40 00 00. Specify the construction separately and have your broker confirm classification for the actual goods.
How do I avoid receiving old motorcycle tyre stock?
Agree acceptable manufacturing dates before ordering. Record sidewall date codes during pre-shipment inspection and compare the arriving batches with the inspection record.