Sourcing overhead bridge cranes from China

Duty and classification for overhead bridge cranes

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 October 2026, heading 8426 covers cranes and related lifting machinery. Overhead travelling cranes on fixed support fall under 8426 11 00 00. The table shows construction variants sharing that commodity line, rather than separate tariff classifications. See the wider cranes guide for other crane families.

The recorded duty for goods from China is 0% throughout heading 8426. The supplied tariff data records no anti-dumping or countervailing measures, suspensions or attached import controls for the overhead travelling crane line. Import VAT is separate from customs duty.

Confirm the commodity code using the complete crane specification and support arrangement. A separately imported hoist or crane part should not automatically use the complete crane code.

Specify the bridge, runway and installation

Specify safe working load, bridge span, lifting height, girder arrangement, hoist type, duty classification and travel speeds. Give the factory the runway rail profile, support drawings, available headroom, power supply and working environment. State whether the supply includes the runway, electrification, controls and installation drawings.

New machinery placed on the Great Britain market must be UKCA or CE marked, supplied with a declaration of conformity and accompanied by instructions in English. Match the documents to the crane ordered. Arrange a competent person to examine the assembled crane before use on site.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 4 single-girder overhead travelling cranes with hoists under 8426 11 00 00, invoiced at £48,000 free on board, with £5,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £53,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £53,000, so it is £10,600. 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

Dimensions: compare the bridge, end carriages, wheel arrangement and hoist clearance with the approved runway and building drawings.

Structure: inspect girder welds, connections and coating against the drawings and agreed inspection records; check for distortion and transport damage on arrival.

Controls: witness the agreed functional and load tests, including brakes, emergency stops, travel limits and overload protection; match the electrical supply to the site.

Documents and packing: match identification plates to the declaration, English manual, wiring diagrams and component list; check that rails, cables and loose fittings arrive as listed. Use the inspection guide to define the inspection scope.

What goes wrong

A bridge can arrive with a wheel arrangement that does not suit the runway, or a hoist that leaves insufficient headroom. Wiring changes, missing limit switches and incomplete assembly drawings can delay installation. Freeze the interface drawings before fabrication and record agreed changes.

Factory test records do not replace examination of the crane assembled on site. Book the installer and competent examiner before shipment, and resolve mismatched documents and damaged components before commissioning.

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.