Sourcing thermoforming machines from China

Zero duty on plastic thermoforming machines

Heading 8477 covers machinery for working rubber or plastics and making products from those materials. Vacuum-moulding and other thermoforming machines fall under 8477 40 00 00. The table also includes separately imported trimming machines and machinery parts. See the wider plastics machinery guide for other machine families.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 October 2026, the selected lines carried 0% duty on goods from China. The supplied tariff records show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control on these lines. Import VAT is separate from customs duty.

Confirm the commodity code using the machine's actual function and the shipment contents. Moulds shipped separately belong to heading 8480. Do not assume that separate tools, trimming equipment and spare parts all use the complete machine's code.

Specify the sheet, mould and forming process

State the plastic material, sheet thickness range, sheet or roll feed, forming area, draw depth and finished part drawing. Agree whether the process uses vacuum, pressure or plug assistance, and whether trimming and stacking are included. Specify mould mounting, cooling connections, available electrical supply, compressed air and vacuum equipment.

Agree a factory trial using your intended sheet and mould, with acceptance criteria for wall thickness, dimensions, appearance and repeatability. Record heating settings, forming conditions and output during the trial. Compliance includes meeting essential health and safety requirements and carrying out the necessary conformity assessment; a production trial alone does not establish this.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: An illustrative order of two plastic thermoforming machines under 8477 40 00 00, invoiced at £64,000 free on board, with £5,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £69,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £69,000, so it is £13,800. 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

Formed parts: compare trial samples with the agreed drawing, checking thin corners, webbing, incomplete forming, surface marks and trim position.

Heating and vacuum: check heater-zone operation, sheet clamping, vacuum leaks, cooling and repeatable release during the agreed trial.

Safety and documents: check guards, interlocks and emergency stops around heaters, moving platens and trimming tools. New machinery for the Great Britain market must have UKCA or CE marking, a declaration of conformity and English instructions.

Arrival and support: inspect the frame, platens, heater assemblies and packed tooling for movement, corrosion or impact damage. Match supplied spares, wiring diagrams, controller access and utility connections against the order.

What goes wrong

A demonstration using the supplier's sheet and a shallow mould can hide problems with your material or deeper part. Uneven heating, vacuum leaks and unsuitable plug assistance can leave thin corners or webbing. Poor cooling can distort parts after release, while a mismatched trimming arrangement leaves uneven edges.

Define the trial and included equipment before ordering. Obtain sample parts and the recorded settings, then check the same functions after arrival. Confirm access to controller settings and replacement heaters, sensors and seals before approving 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.