Sourcing round-link mining chains from China

Zero duty on welded round-link mining chain

Heading 7315 covers chain and parts of iron or steel. Welded round-link mining chain is a candidate for 7315 82 00 00, covering other welded-link chain. The table repeats this tariff line for different mining applications; these are not separate commodity codes. Separately imported chain parts need their own classification.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, all supplied lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The extract lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, steel measure, suspension or attached import control. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.

Confirm the construction, intended use and whether the shipment contains loose chain, parts or a complete machine before choosing the commodity code. For the wider chain family and lifting applications, see steel lifting chain.

Specify the chain against the mining conveyor

Send the factory the conveyor drawing and chain-wheel details. Agree link diameter, pitch, internal width, link count, finished length and connecting-link design. State whether the chain serves a scraper conveyor or haulage system. For parallel chain runs, agree how the factory will match and identify the lengths.

Specify material, heat treatment, surface finish and acceptance criteria for proof force, breaking force and elongation. Request batch-linked material and test records, with sample testing agreed before production. Include the operating environment and the interfaces with scraper attachments and chain wheels in the purchase specification.

Work-equipment rules place duties on businesses that own, operate or control equipment. For chain designed for lifting, confirm with HSE whether the machinery supply rules apply and which conformity marking and declaration documents are required. Confirm the intended application before agreeing the documents; arrange testing and certification around that application.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 12 tonnes of welded round-link mining chain under 7315 82 00 00, invoiced at £21,000 free on board, with £2,400 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £23,400. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £23,400, so it is £4,680. 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

Dimensions: measure link diameter, pitch and internal width against the drawing. Check finished lengths and the identification of matched runs.

Welds and strength: inspect weld profiles and visible cracking. Match proof-force, breaking-force and elongation reports to the delivered batch and agreed acceptance criteria.

Interfaces: check connecting links, locking details and scraper attachment positions. Confirm chain-wheel fit against the approved drawing or agreed sample assembly.

Arrival condition: check corrosion, bent links and packing damage. Reconcile bundle identification with material and heat-treatment records; use an agreed inspection checklist.

What goes wrong

A chain can match the nominal diameter yet fail to fit because pitch, internal width or connecting-link geometry differs. Unequal matched lengths can leave parallel runs unevenly tensioned. Poor welds and inconsistent heat treatment can cause cracking, excessive stretch or premature breakage.

Resolve drawing differences before production and retain an approved sample. Agree dimensional checks and witnessed or independent sample tests, then keep the reports tied to the shipment. Hold mismatched, cracked or undocumented chain apart while the supplier and buyer investigate.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.