Sourcing Rockwell hardness testers from China

Duty on Rockwell hardness testers

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 6 November 2026, metal hardness testers under 9024 10 40 00 and parts and accessories under 9024 90 00 00 carried 0% duty from China. Neither line listed anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or import controls. The table separates tester types sharing the same commodity code.

Heading 9024 covers machines testing mechanical properties of materials. Other metal-testing machines and machines for other materials have a mercury import control attached in the supplied tariff data. If your equipment falls on either of those lines, confirm the requirement with your customs broker. See the wider material testing machines guide.

Confirm the commodity code from the material tested, testing method and whether the shipment contains a complete tester or separately supplied parts. Import VAT is normally 20%; see import duty and VAT for the calculation.

Specify scales, indenters and specimen support

State the Rockwell scales required and whether you need superficial testing. Agree the indenter and anvil set, specimen thickness and shape, available test space, loading sequence, dwell settings and result export. Send representative specimens so the factory can demonstrate support and access to the intended test surface.

Rockwell tester verification is covered by ISO 6508, part 2. Ask for verification records identifying the machine, scales, indenters and reference blocks used. Plan verification by a UKAS-accredited laboratory after installation where results support product conformity.

For powered testers intended for the Great Britain market, confirm with the relevant authority which UKCA or CE marking, declaration of conformity and English instruction requirements apply. The responsible person must ensure the technical file is compiled and available on request. Ask for model-specific conformity documents and review the test-space guarding before shipment.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Three automated Rockwell hardness testers with specimen fixtures, illustrative only under 9024 10 40 00, invoiced at £42,000 free on board, with £2,600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £44,600. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £44,600, so it is £8,920. 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

Measurement: test certified reference blocks across the ordered scales, record repeated readings and compare them with the agreed acceptance criteria.

Indenters and support: match supplied indenters and anvils to the order, inspect contact surfaces and demonstrate stable support for your specimens.

Operation and documents: check scale selection, loading sequence, result export and English instructions; match the machine identification to its verification and conformity documents.

Arrival and packing: inspect the frame, indenter and specimen support for transit damage, release transport restraints as instructed and repeat the agreed reference-block checks. Use the inspection guide to plan shipment checks.

What goes wrong

A tester can produce consistent readings on the factory's block yet struggle with your specimen shape or chosen scale. Wrong indenters, damaged contact surfaces, unstable anvils and loading settings that differ from the agreed method can undermine results. Agree the demonstration specimens and acceptance record before shipment.

Certificates may describe a different configuration, while transport damage or poor installation can change performance. Match documents to the delivered machine, arrange local verification and agree access to replacement indenters and service support. Factory verification helps assess the maker's calibration equipment.

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.