Sourcing pneumatic forklift tyres from China
New pneumatic forklift tyres from China carry 4% UK duty across the variants shown, with no listed anti-dumping duty or suspension. Match the tyre to the truck and rim; HSE says removal, replacement and inflation should only be tackled by competent staff. Cambridge China Bridge sources pneumatic forklift tyres.
UK duty on pneumatic forklift tyres
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 7 October 2026, heading 4011 covers new pneumatic rubber tyres. Forklift tyres fall within the industrial handling vehicle line, 4011 80 00 00. The table shows purchasing variants within that same tariff line, rather than separate commodity lines. Solid and retreaded tyres are outside this guide.
The supplied tariff record gives 4% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension on this line. It attaches import and export waste controls. Environment Agency guidance for England says waste shipment controls apply only to waste. For any shipment from China whose waste status is uncertain, ask your customs broker to confirm the attached control and the applicable requirements before dispatch.
Confirm the intended vehicle use, pneumatic construction and new condition with your broker using finding your commodity code. For the wider heading, see car, van and lorry tyres.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| New tube-type pneumatic forklift tyres | 4011 80 00 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the forklift, rim and working load
Give the factory the truck make and model, axle position, existing tyre markings and rim drawing. Specify tyre size, bead-seat dimensions, rim compatibility, radial or cross-ply construction, and tube-type or tubeless construction. For tube-type orders, state whether compatible tubes and protective flaps are included.
Ask for load capacity at the intended operating speed and inflation pressure, supported by the manufacturer's technical data. Describe loaded travel, floor condition and indoor or outdoor use. Agree tread pattern, overall dimensions, production-date acceptance and batch identification. Treat any non-marking claim as a sample acceptance point on your own floor.
HSE says tyre removal, replacement and inflation should only be tackled by competent staff. It also highlights additional hazards from split-rim wheels. Arrange fitting with a competent tyre specialist and ask the supplier for fitting and inflation instructions for the exact tyre and rim combination.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 30 new pneumatic forklift tyres; FOB value and freight are illustrative. under 4011 80 00 00, invoiced at £5,000 free on board, with £2,600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £7,600. Duty at 4% is £304. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,904, so it is £1,580.80. Import taxes total £1,884.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £304 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: compare sampled sidewall size, construction, load markings, production date and batch identification with the approved specification and packing list.
Fit: measure bead-seat dimensions and overall size against the agreed drawing; check tube, flap and valve compatibility where supplied.
Condition: inspect beads, sidewalls and tread joins for distortion, cuts, exposed reinforcement, bulges and transport damage.
Air retention: have a competent fitter mount sample tyres on the intended rims and record leakage checks against the agreed acceptance method. Use quality inspection explained to define the inspection brief.
What goes wrong
A familiar size marking can hide a different rim requirement, construction or load capability. Missing flaps, unsuitable valves and damaged beads can turn an apparently correct delivery into fitting problems or air loss. Compare the complete tyre assembly with an approved sample before accepting substitutions.
Unclear production dates and mixed batches make complaints harder to trace. Keep photographs, batch records and sample inspection results, and hold affected stock while investigating bulges, bead damage or leakage. Avoid approving a substitute solely because it fits the rim.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on pneumatic forklift tyres from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 4% for new pneumatic industrial handling tyres under 4011 80 00 00, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Are solid forklift tyres covered by this guide?
No. This guide covers new pneumatic tyres. Confirm the separate classification for solid or retreaded tyres before ordering.
What should I send a Chinese forklift tyre factory?
Send the truck model, axle position, tyre markings, rim drawing, working load, operating speed and intended pressure. State the construction and whether tubes and flaps are included.
How do I check pneumatic forklift tyres before accepting delivery?
Check markings, dimensions, batch identity, beads and sidewalls against the specification. Have a competent fitter check sample fit and air retention on the intended rims.