Sourcing roll turning lathes from China
Roll turning lathes from China carry 2% UK duty across the relevant lines of heading 8458, with no trade remedies or suspensions recorded. Machines must meet machinery supply safety rules; agree roll weight, support capacity and a witnessed cutting test before shipment. Cambridge China Bridge sources roll turning lathes.
2% duty on roll turning lathes
Heading 8458 covers lathes, including turning centres, for removing metal. This guide concerns machines that turn metal rolls, including roll bodies and journals. Specify whether the machine is horizontal and numerically controlled. The table gives possible tariff categories, rather than separate codes dedicated to roll turning. See the wider lathes and turning centres guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, all listed lines carried 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record shows no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. It attaches an import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases. Check whether supplied cooling equipment contains refrigerant: imported F-gas equipment must be labelled, including empty equipment where applicable.
Ask the factory for refrigerant and charge details for any refrigerated cooling unit. Have your customs broker confirm the attached F-gas control and applicable declaration requirements for the actual shipment. Confirm the commodity code using the machine layout, control type and functions, rather than its sales name. The illustrative order is an example, not a quotation; see UK import duty and VAT for the calculation method.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other horizontal numerically controlled lathes | 8458 11 80 00 | 2% | None |
| Horizontal lathes, not numerically controlled | 8458 19 00 00 | 2% | None |
| Other non-horizontal numerically controlled lathes | 8458 91 80 00 | 2% | None |
| Non-horizontal lathes, not numerically controlled | 8458 99 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the roll and its supports
Provide drawings showing roll body diameter, barrel length, journal dimensions, overall length and weight. State the material, hardness, incoming condition and required finished profile. Agree whether the work includes straight turning, crowned profiles, grooves or journal repair, with tolerances and surface finish written into the acceptance criteria.
Specify swing, distance between centres, spindle torque at the intended cutting speed, drive arrangement, tailstock and steady rests. Agree support positions and capacity for the actual roll, tool access around journals, chip removal and coolant arrangements. Ask for the foundation, levelling and lifting information before planning installation.
For supply in Great Britain, the machine must meet the essential health and safety requirements of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008. Confirm the applicable declaration of conformity, UKCA or accepted marking and English instruction requirements with the relevant authority. Ask for documents matching the delivered model and its guarding arrangements.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: a horizontal numerically controlled roll turning lathe under 8458 11 80 00, invoiced at £150,000 free on board, with £9,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £159,000. Duty at 2% is £3,180. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £162,180, so it is £32,436. Import taxes total £35,616; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £3,180 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Capacity and supports: check the delivered centres, drive fixtures, tailstock and steady rests against the agreed roll drawing. Witness loading and supported rotation using a representative roll.
Cutting performance: measure journal run-out, diameter variation, taper, profile and surface finish after the agreed cut. Record the roll material, tooling, support positions and cutting conditions.
Safety and documents: check guarding and interlocks, test emergency stops, and match the declaration, machine identity and English manual. Check cooling equipment and its refrigerant information against the shipment documents.
Arrival and installation: inspect exposed bed surfaces, centres and supports for damage or corrosion. Level the machine and repeat the agreed accuracy and cutting checks after installation. Use the inspection guide to organise the record.
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What goes wrong
A quoted swing diameter can distract from roll weight and support capacity. Long rolls can chatter or cut with taper when support positions, centre alignment or tool settings are unsuitable. A demonstration on a short, soft workpiece does not establish performance on your production roll.
Transit damage, poor levelling and altered support settings can change the result after delivery. Freeze the control version, supplied fixtures and acceptance procedure in the order. Keep the factory measurements and repeat the same test after installation before accepting production performance.
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 roll turning lathes from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 2% duty across the relevant heading 8458 lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions.
Which commodity code covers a roll turning lathe?
The code depends on layout, numerical control and functions. A horizontal numerically controlled machine may fit 8458 11 80 00. Confirm the specification and code with your customs broker.
How do I check a roll turning lathe before shipment?
Witness a cut on a representative roll with the agreed supports and tooling. Measure profile, taper, journal run-out and surface finish, then repeat the test after installation.
What safety paperwork should come with the lathe?
Check the declaration of conformity, UKCA or accepted marking and English instructions against the delivered machine. Review its guards, interlocks and emergency stops before acceptance.