Sourcing mould bases from China

Mould-base duty and classification

Heading 8480 covers mould bases alongside complete moulds, moulding boxes and patterns. Mould bases have their own line, 8480 20 00 00. The table includes complete moulds as classification comparisons, rather than separate mould-base categories. See the wider moulds and tooling guide.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 October 2026, mould bases from China carried 0% duty. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for this line. HMRC requires transport, insurance, loading and handling costs connected with delivery to the UK border to be included in customs value.

Confirm the commodity code using the assembly drawing and a precise description of what is supplied. If buyer-provided tooling remains in China to produce imported parts, ask your customs broker whether its cost not already included in the seller's price should be added to those parts' customs value, and consult the wider tooling guide.

Specify the plate stack and machine interfaces

Provide an approved assembly drawing showing plate order, overall dimensions, steel grades, hardness, flatness, parallelism and hole positions. State whether the base is supplied with insert pockets machined or left for your toolroom, and identify the drawing revision on the order.

Specify guide pillars and bushes, ejector plates and travel, return pins, support pillars, locating ring and clamping interfaces where fitted. Check compatibility with the intended moulding machine. Agree interchangeable spare components, rust protection, lifting arrangements and how the plates will be secured for transport.

HSE's work-equipment guidance places duties on people and companies that own, operate or control work equipment. Plan safe handling and installation of the base as part of the tooling assembly.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: An illustrative batch of machined mould bases for a small toolroom under 8480 20 00 00, invoiced at £5,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,000, so it is £1,400. 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

Material: match steel certificates and measured hardness to the specified plate grades; trace the records to the supplied base.

Geometry: measure plate thickness, flatness, parallelism, pocket dimensions and hole positions against the approved drawing, including mating faces.

Movement: check pillar alignment, bush fit and ejector movement through the agreed travel; look for binding, excessive play and interference.

Arrival condition: inspect for rust, damaged edges, loose plates and missing components; photograph the base and reconcile its identification with the inspection report.

What goes wrong

A base can match the overall dimensions yet fail to fit the tool or machine. Misplaced holes, incorrect locating features and insufficient ejector clearance create rework. Poor plate parallelism or pillar alignment can make the assembly bind, while unsuitable steel or hardness can shorten service life.

Approve the assembly drawing before machining and request a dimensional report before dispatch. Check packing that prevents plate movement and protects machined faces. Record defects before altering the base so the supplier can assess the original condition.

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.