Sourcing pallet wrappers from China

Zero duty on pallet wrapping machinery

Heading 8422 includes other packing or wrapping machinery. Pallet stretch wrapping machines fall within 8422 40 00 00; relevant machinery parts may fall within 8422 90 90 00. The table shows different wrapper configurations sharing the same machinery code. See the wider heading guide for other equipment.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 October 2026, both selected commodity lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.

Confirm the commodity code against the machine's function and condition at import. Send your broker the specification, assembly drawings and packing list, particularly where the mast travels detached or spare components are invoiced separately.

Specify the pallet, film carriage and loading method

Choose a turntable or rotary-arm layout around your actual loads and available floor space. Specify pallet dimensions, loaded height and weight, load stability, loading method, power supply and required wrapping pattern. Agree whether the order includes a loading ramp, weighing equipment, top platen or conveyor interfaces.

Specify film width, roll dimensions, core size, carriage type, adjustable tension and prestretch arrangement. Ask the factory to wrap your film around representative heavy, light and irregular loads. Record film breaks, corner coverage, load movement and access for roll changes.

For supply in Great Britain, complete wrappers need machinery conformity assessment; confirm the applicable technical-file, English-instruction and guarding requirements with the relevant authority. CE marking remains recognised indefinitely alongside the UKCA route. Request documents matching the supplied model and configuration; the machinery guide explains the document checks.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: one turntable pallet stretch wrapping machine under 8422 40 00 00, invoiced at £5,000 free on board, with £500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,500, so it is £1,100. 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

Load trial: check representative pallets through the agreed wrapping cycle using your film. Inspect base coverage, upper coverage, film tails and load stability.

Motion and safety: check turntable or arm clearance, carriage travel, guards, fitted interlocks and every emergency stop during a controlled acceptance test.

Film carriage: check tension adjustment, roller alignment, film threading, roll retention and height sensing with dark or reflective loads.

Arrival and documents: check mast fixings, transport damage, cables, supplied spares and model identity against the declaration and English manual. Repeat the agreed load trial after installation.

What goes wrong

Excessive film tension can crush light cartons or pull an unstable load sideways. Poor height sensing can leave the top exposed, while misaligned rollers can tear film. A demonstration with an empty pallet does not establish performance with your packed goods.

A ramp that does not suit your pallet truck, insufficient arm clearance or controls supplied only in Chinese can delay commissioning. Agree the site layout, acceptance criteria, installation responsibilities and spare roller, belt and sensor supply before shipment.

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.