Sourcing washing machine agitators from China

Duty and classification for replacement agitators

Heading 8450 covers household or laundry-type washing machines, including machines that both wash and dry, and their parts. Replacement agitators are covered here as washing-machine parts under 8450 90 00 00, subject to confirmation for the actual product. All table variants use this supplied parts line. See the washing-machine drums guide for wider heading context.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the supplied parts line carries 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied facts list no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for that line.

Give your customs broker the part drawing, material specification, photographs and intended washing-machine application to confirm the commodity code. Identify whether the shipment contains complete agitators or replacement sections.

Specify the shaft fit and agitator assembly

List the compatible machine models and part references, supported by drawings and a physical reference sample. Specify shaft spline profile, bore depth, overall height, base diameter, retaining fastener and clearance from the tub. For assemblies with an upper auger, define its drive mechanism and which caps, bushes and retaining components are included.

Agree the resin grade, permitted recycled content, moulding finish and resistance to the intended detergent and wash conditions. Set acceptance criteria for shaft engagement, retention and loaded operation. Approve the sample on each claimed machine model before accepting a compatibility list.

General product safety rules in Great Britain cover products intended or likely to be used by consumers. UK sellers must not sell consumer parts they know or should know are unsafe. For these spares, keep fit and durability test records, installation guidance and batch identification with the approved specification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order only: 400 replacement washing machine agitators under 8450 90 00 00, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,400. Duty at 2% is £128. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,528, so it is £1,305.60. Import taxes total £1,433.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £128 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match part references, claimed machine compatibility, supplied components and batch markings to the order.

Fit: check spline engagement, seating depth, retaining fastener and tub clearance on the intended machines; record looseness or interference.

Moulding: inspect vane edges, flash, cracks, distortion and the hub around the shaft bore; compare material records with the approved resin specification.

Loaded operation: run representative wash loads and check retention, agitation, auger drive and fabric snagging; repeat fit checks on arrival using the agreed inspection plan.

What goes wrong

An agitator can resemble the original yet have a different spline profile or seating depth. It may sit too high, rub the tub or loosen during washing. Weak hubs can crack, drive teeth can slip and rough vane edges can snag fabric. Check these failure points on fitted samples rather than relying on photographs.

A broad compatibility list can hide differences between machine variants. Tie each claim to a tested model and approved drawing. Agree how resin, tooling and drive-component changes will be reviewed, and protect projecting vanes and tall shafts from bending or cracking in transit.

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.