Sourcing Railway Turnouts from China
Selected turnout components from China carry UK duty of 0% to 50%: switch blades, crossing pieces and fittings are 0%, while separately classified other new rails are 50%. Confirm with Network Rail whether product acceptance is required for the intended national-network use. Cambridge China Bridge sources railway turnouts.
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Turnout components and separately supplied rails
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7302 covers iron or steel railway and tramway track construction material. For turnouts, this includes switch blades, crossing frogs, point rods, fish-plates, sole plates and specialised rail fittings. The description of an order as a complete turnout does not establish its commodity code.
The supplied tariff data records 0% duty for 7302 30 00 00, 7302 40 00 00 and 7302 90 00 00, and 50% for other new rails under 7302 10 50 00. It lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. It records no steel measure or quota relief, so do not assume a quota reduces the stated rail duty.
Ask your customs broker to confirm classification against the assembly drawings, component list and condition of supply. Use our commodity code guide. The railway crossings and frogs guide covers related track components.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switch blades, crossing frogs, point rods and other crossing pieces | 7302 30 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Fish-plates and sole plates for turnout assemblies | 7302 40 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Steel sleepers, chairs, clips and other turnout track fittings | 7302 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other new rails, including separately supplied check-rails | 7302 10 50 00 | 50% | None |
Specify turnout geometry and railway acceptance
Specify track gauge, rail profile, turnout handedness, crossing angle, switch length, curve geometry and the installation drawing revision. Define blade-to-stock-rail contact, flangeways, check-rail positions, drilling and bearer layout. Agree steel grades, heat treatment, hardness, material certificates and the interfaces with the point operating and locking equipment.
Confirm with Network Rail whether product acceptance is required for the intended national-network track components. Agree the operator's acceptance documents before ordering. Where the interoperability regime applies, a structural subsystem needs authorisation from the Office of Rail and Road before first use. Ask the project team to establish how the turnout supply fits its assessment and authorisation process.
Confirm with HMRC or your customs broker whether and when heading 7302 falls within the iron and steel scope of the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism. Ask the supplier for production emissions data and check your position using the UK carbon border adjustment guide.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative consignment of replacement switch blades for a siding turnout under 7302 30 00 00, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £22,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £22,000, so it is £4,400. 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
Geometry: check gauge, handedness, crossing geometry, flangeways and drilling against the agreed drawings, both during factory trial assembly and on arrival.
Blade movement: check that blades move freely, seat against the stock rails and connect to the specified operating interfaces without binding.
Materials: match heat numbers and component identification to the ordered steel grades, heat treatment, hardness results and material certificates.
Condition and completeness: inspect blade tips, crossing noses and machined faces for damage, cracks and corrosion; reconcile rods, plates, clips and assembly markings with the packing list. See our inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A turnout can match the nominal gauge yet fail to fit the site because its handedness, rail profile, drilling or operating interfaces differ. Poor blade contact and incorrect crossing or check-rail geometry also cause rejection. Require a documented trial assembly against the installation drawings before packing.
Long machined parts can bend during lifting, and loose components can lose their assembly identity in transit. Specify lifting points, supports and component marking. Recheck geometry on arrival. Missing acceptance records can prevent installation, while separately supplied rails can carry a different duty from the switch pieces.
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 railway turnouts from China?
The supplied tariff data records 0% for switch blades, crossing pieces, fish-plates and other fittings. Separately classified other new rails under 7302 10 50 00 carry 50%. Confirm the classification of the supplied assembly.
Can I order a turnout using only the track gauge?
No. Also specify handedness, rail profile, crossing angle, switch geometry, bearer layout, drilling and operating interfaces against an agreed installation drawing.
Do turnouts for the national network need product acceptance?
Agree the required evidence with the project team before ordering.
What should I check when a turnout arrives?
Check geometry, blade seating and movement, component identity, material records and packing-list completeness. Look for bent blades, damaged crossing noses and corrosion on machined contact faces.