Sourcing Planimeters from China

2% duty on mechanical planimeters

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 9017 covers drawing, marking-out and mathematical calculating instruments, alongside specified hand-held length-measuring instruments. Mechanical planimeters calculate the area enclosed by a traced outline. The mathematical calculating instruments line is the proposed classification for these models.

The mathematical calculating instruments and parts or accessories lines each carry 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. The table repeats these codes to distinguish planimeter types and spares.

Confirm the commodity code using the mechanism, function and details of any separately imported accessories. The protractor guide covers another product family within the wider heading. This guide focuses on mechanical planimeters.

Specify the tracing mechanism and area calculation

Choose a polar or rolling mechanism and describe the drawings it will measure. Specify tracing reach, arm adjustment, measuring-wheel contact, readout legibility, area units and the method for converting drawing scale into area. Agree an acceptance tolerance against reference shapes and require results from the actual model offered.

Include the tracer, pole weight where applicable, adjustment tools, protective case and operating instructions in the purchase specification. Ask for instructions that explain starting readings, tracing direction and scale conversion. For models intended for or likely to be used by consumers in Great Britain, general product safety rules apply and businesses importing or selling them are responsible for their safety.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: An illustrative batch of mechanical polar planimeters for a specialist instrument distributor under 9017 20 90 00, invoiced at £10,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £10,900. Duty at 2% is £218. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £11,118, so it is £2,223.60. Import taxes total £2,441.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £218 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Area accuracy: trace reference shapes of known area on the agreed drawing surface, repeat the measurements and compare results with the agreed tolerance.

Mechanism: check that the measuring wheel turns freely without slipping, joints move smoothly, arm settings stay fixed and the polar anchor remains stable.

Readout and instructions: check scale legibility, starting-reading subtraction, tracing direction and area conversion against a worked reference drawing.

Arrival condition: inspect arms for bending, wheels for damage and metal surfaces for corrosion; check the case, supplied accessories and model identification against the order.

What goes wrong

A slipping measuring wheel, stiff joint or moving pole weight can spoil repeatability even when the instrument looks sound. Bent arms and loose adjustments can change results after transport. Test arrival samples against the same reference shapes used for sample approval.

Incorrect drawing-scale conversion can produce a wrong area despite a repeatable reading. Ask the supplier to demonstrate the complete calculation, then have your intended user repeat it from the supplied instructions. Agree the inspection method before shipment using the quality inspection guide.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For components and parts, see sourcing for manufacturers.