Sourcing industrial trailer tyres from China
Pneumatic industrial trailer tyres in the industrial or other tyre lines carry 4% UK duty from China. Across heading 4011, ordinary duty ranges from 4% to 4.50%. Specify whether the trailer operates on roads: road tyres need approval marks, and classification determines any additional duties. Cambridge China Bridge sources pneumatic industrial trailer tyres.
Duty depends on the tyre's intended use
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 4011 covers new pneumatic rubber tyres. The table shows classification routes to discuss with your broker, rather than interchangeable codes for trailer tyres. Industrial handling, agricultural and other tyre lines carry 4% duty from China, with no trade remedies or suspensions recorded for those lines. For kart applications, see our go-kart tyre sourcing guide.
Bus or lorry tyres with a load index not exceeding 121 also carry 4%. If the product instead falls under 4011 20 90 00, ordinary duty is 4.50%, with residual anti-dumping duty of £45.71 and countervailing duty of £64.41 per tyre. Compare the wider tyre guide and confirm the commodity code using the tyre specification and intended vehicle.
The tariff attaches waste import and export controls to these lines. Ask your customs broker to confirm their application to the shipment from China. For waste imported into England under notification controls, the exporter must apply to the dispatch country's competent authority for consent. Keep the purchase specification explicit about new tyres and do not accept a substitution with discarded or used stock.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction, mining or industrial handling vehicle tyres | 4011 80 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Other new pneumatic rubber tyres | 4011 90 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Agricultural or forestry vehicle and machine tyres | 4011 70 00 00 | 4% | None |
| Bus or lorry tyres with a load index not exceeding 121 | 4011 20 10 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the trailer, rim and operating conditions
Give the factory the trailer application, tyre size, rim profile and width, axle loading, operating speed, surface and duty cycle. Specify radial or cross-ply construction, tubeless or tube-type fitment, tread pattern and whether tubes or flaps are included. Request the load and inflation information for the exact tyre, rather than a catalogue statement covering a different size.
State whether the trailer will use public roads or remain within a site. Confirm applicable UN approval-mark requirements for the exact tyre and road application with the relevant vehicle authority. Ask for approval certificates matching the ordered size and load index. Have the intended application and supporting reports checked through testing and certification before accepting a factory's claim of suitability.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 2,000 small pneumatic industrial trailer tyres, subject to classification under 4011 90 00 00, invoiced at £60,000 free on board, with £5,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £65,000. Duty at 4% is £2,600. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £67,600, so it is £13,520. Import taxes total £16,120; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £2,600 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: compare sampled sidewalls with the order, including size, construction, load index, speed rating and manufacturing date code.
Rim fit: trial-fit a sample on the specified rim using a competent tyre fitter; check bead seating, valve compatibility and clearance.
Condition: inspect beads, sidewalls and tread joins for distortion, cuts, exposed reinforcement and bulges; reject visibly damaged samples.
Performance: check inflation retention and running behaviour on the intended trailer under agreed test conditions; record batch details and any pressure loss or vibration.
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What goes wrong
A tyre can match the nominal size yet have the wrong rim fit, construction or load capability for the trailer's operating speed. Generic load claims can conceal restrictions in the manufacturer's load and inflation information. Agree the exact specification and test conditions before production, then compare the delivered batch with the approved sample.
Compressed packing can distort beads, while poor tread joins or damaged sidewalls can cause air loss or vibration. An industrial-use description also does not establish road suitability. Keep approval evidence tied to the ordered tyre and investigate mismatched markings before fitting or resale.
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 industrial trailer tyres from China?
The industrial handling and other new pneumatic tyre lines carry 4%. Classification as bus or lorry tyres with a load index over 121 brings 4.50% plus residual anti-dumping and countervailing duties.
Which commodity code covers pneumatic trailer tyres?
There is no dedicated trailer line in the supplied tariff facts. Discuss industrial handling, agricultural, other or bus and lorry tyre classification with your broker using the exact specification and vehicle application.
Can industrial trailer tyres be used on public roads?
Do not decide from size alone. Confirm applicable UN approval-mark requirements with the relevant vehicle authority. Check the approval certificate, load index, speed rating and intended application for the exact tyre before ordering.
What should I check when trailer tyres arrive?
Compare sidewall markings and date codes with the order, inspect beads and tread joins, trial-fit the specified rim and check inflation retention. Record defects against the batch before releasing stock.