Sourcing turntable platters from China

Replacement platter duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 October 2026, heading 8522 covers parts and accessories suitable solely or principally for apparatus of heading 8519 or 8521. Replacement turntable platters fall within the other parts line, 8522 90 00 90, carrying 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for this line.

The table shows platter variants sharing the same commodity code. Confirm the intended use and model compatibility with your customs broker using the commodity code guide. General-purpose parts need their own classification. For cartridges, styli and other related parts, see the wider audio parts guide.

Specify the platter around the target turntable

Supply a drawing and a reference turntable. Specify material, outside diameter, spindle bore or taper, hub depth, platter height, mass and surface finish. For belt drive, include the belt-running surface and clearance beneath the platter. For direct drive, record any magnet or sensing features needed by the target mechanism. Agree limits for flatness, runout and balance before approving a sample.

Consumer replacement platters sold in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Importers and sellers are responsible for consumer product safety. Assess sharp edges, brittle material and secure seating on the spindle, then agree protective packing and fitting instructions.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 63 replacement aluminium turntable platters under 8522 90 00 90, invoiced at £1,500 free on board, with £600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £2,100. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £2,100, so it is £420. 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

Fit: install samples on the stated turntable model; check spindle seating, underside clearance, belt alignment and record height.

Geometry: measure flatness and runout against the agreed drawing; rotate the fitted platter and check for wobble or rubbing.

Material: compare mass and finish with the approved sample; inspect glass and acrylic for cracks and metal edges for burrs.

Packing: check that the hub and rim are supported, surfaces cannot rub together and each package identifies the intended model. Use the quality inspection guide to prepare the inspection brief.

What goes wrong

A platter can look correct yet sit too high, rock on the spindle or foul the deck. An incorrect belt-running surface can cause slipping or poor alignment. A change in mass can alter starting behaviour, while an uneven platter can wobble during rotation. Approve a fitted sample rather than relying on a photograph.

Glass can arrive chipped, acrylic scratched and metal platters dented when packing supports only the outer carton. Inspect arrival samples before releasing stock, compare failures with the approved packing and ask the supplier to correct the cause.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For components and parts, see sourcing for manufacturers.