Sourcing compressor pump heads from China
Replacement air compressor pump heads need matching to the existing drive, mountings and working pressure. The selected reciprocating compressor lines carry 2% UK duty from China, with no rate variation. Where a head is partly completed machinery, assembly instructions and a declaration of incorporation must accompany it. Cambridge China Bridge sources replacement air compressor pump heads.
Duty and classification for replacement pump heads
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, the selected reciprocating compressor lines under heading 8414 carried 2% duty for goods from China. These lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, tariff suspension or attached import control. Heading 8414 covers air pumps, compressors and their parts, among other equipment.
The table gives compressor classifications to investigate for an assembled replacement pumping unit. It does not establish the classification of a bare cylinder head, valve plate or other component. The supplied facts contain specialised parts lines but no general replacement pump-head parts line. Send drawings, photographs, pressure and flow data, and the exact contents of the shipment to your broker to confirm the commodity code.
Do not apply the suspension for a vehicle-seat membrane compressor to a replacement piston pump head. For complete machines and receiver considerations, see air compressors.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reciprocating compressors, up to 15 bar and up to 60 m³/hour | 8414 80 22 90 | 2% | None |
| Reciprocating compressors, up to 15 bar and over 60 m³/hour | 8414 80 28 90 | 2% | None |
| Reciprocating compressors, over 15 bar and up to 120 m³/hour | 8414 80 51 90 | 2% | None |
| Reciprocating compressors, over 15 bar and over 120 m³/hour | 8414 80 59 90 | 2% | None |
Match the pump head to the existing compressor
Specify whether you need the complete pumping assembly or only the cylinder head. Agree mounting-hole positions, shaft diameter and keyway, pulley alignment, rotation direction, operating speed, lubrication method, outlet thread and cooling arrangement. Provide a dimensioned drawing and photographs of the existing installation.
State free air delivery at the intended working pressure and speed, the permitted duty cycle, and the available drive power. Agree which pulley, intake filter, gaskets and fittings are included. Ask for replacement valve plates, seals and bearings to be identified by drawing or part reference.
For supply in Great Britain, establish whether the head is a spare part, machinery or partly completed machinery. Where it is partly completed machinery, assembly instructions and a declaration of incorporation must accompany it until incorporation. Keep documentary evidence of intended replacement use; official guidance says this should be produced when requested by market surveillance authorities.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 40 replacement reciprocating compressor pump heads under 8414 80 22 90, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,900. Duty at 2% is £138. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £7,038, so it is £1,407.60. Import taxes total £1,545.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £138 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: compare mounting centres, shaft and keyway, outlet connection and pulley position with the approved drawing before shipment and again on arrival.
Operation: run the sampled head on a guarded test rig at the agreed speed and pressure; record delivered air, vibration, temperature behaviour and oil or air leaks.
Assembly: inspect casting damage, sealing faces, valve plates, fasteners, lubrication points and shaft movement; compare supplied fittings and spares with the packing list.
Documents and packing: match model identification to the test record and agreed paperwork; check capped ports, rust protection and restraints. Use the inspection guide to plan checks.
What goes wrong
A visually similar head can have different mountings, rotation direction or pulley requirements. That can leave the belt misaligned or drive the pump outside its intended speed. Comparing inlet displacement with delivered air at working pressure can also conceal inadequate output. Approve the drawing and test conditions before ordering.
A head advertised as a replacement may actually change the compressor's performance or purpose. Official guidance treats important changes that substantially alter original performance, purpose or type as creating a new product, requiring compliance with the relevant requirements at that time. Review the proposed change before fitting it.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on replacement compressor pump heads from China?
The selected reciprocating compressor lines carry 2% duty, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty in the supplied tariff facts. Confirm that the imported assembly belongs on the chosen line.
Can I use the existing motor and pulley?
Compare drive power, operating speed, rotation direction, shaft and keyway, pulley alignment and mounting dimensions. Ask the supplier to confirm compatibility against your installation drawing.
What paperwork does a partly completed pump head need?
For Great Britain, partly completed machinery must be accompanied by assembly instructions and a declaration of incorporation until it is incorporated into machinery.
How do I check the advertised air output?
Agree delivered air at a stated working pressure and shaft speed. Test the sampled head under those conditions; an inlet displacement figure alone does not demonstrate the output you need.