Sourcing rubber speed bumps from China

Rubber speed bump duty and classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 18 October 2026, heading 4016 covers other articles of vulcanised rubber other than hard rubber. For solid rubber speed bumps, consider 4016 99 97 90; genuinely rubber-to-metal bonded parts may require 4016 99 91 90. The table separates product forms within these candidate lines, rather than treating each form as a separate tariff line.

Both candidate lines show 2% duty for goods from China, no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no attached import controls. The suspension at 0.00 % under 4016 99 97 90 is restricted to disposable plastic or rubber boot covers or overshoes; it does not cover speed bumps. No suspension is listed for 4016 99 91 90.

Send the broker the material composition, section drawings and details of any bonded metal before confirming the commodity code. Bolts supplied with a rubber section do not establish that it is a rubber-to-metal bonded article. See the wider heading discussion in our rubber wheel chocks guide.

Specify the profile, rubber and fixing system

State whether the intended site is a private car park, loading yard or access route. Specify section length, width, height, ramp profile, rubber composition, hardness, section weight, colour and reflective inserts. Agree whether yellow areas are moulded material or a surface coating, and retain an approved sample.

Give the factory the pavement type and specify fixing-hole positions, recesses, anchors, washers and end sections. Ask for installation instructions and evidence supporting the claimed vehicle loading. HSE warns that some vehicles, including most industrial lift trucks, may not cross speed humps safely. Assess the actual site traffic before choosing a profile.

For products intended or likely to be used by consumers in Great Britain, the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 apply. Confirm the applicable safety obligations with the relevant authority. Agree supporting safety information for that use rather than accepting a generic supplier certificate.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 2 tonnes of rubber speed bump sections under 4016 99 97 90, invoiced at £15,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £16,200. Duty at 2% is £324. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £16,524, so it is £3,304.80. Import taxes total £3,628.80; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £324 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Profile: measure height, width, section length and fixing-hole positions against the approved drawing; assemble adjacent sections and end caps.

Rubber: compare hardness and weight with the approved sample; inspect for cracks, voids, loose granules and uneven moulding.

Visibility: check colour coverage and reflective inserts; rub and wet the surface to assess coating adhesion and grip against the agreed sample.

Fixings: count anchors and washers, check recess fit and trial-install on representative pavement using the supplied instructions. Use our quality inspection guide to plan the checks.

What goes wrong

A section can match the catalogue photograph while having a different ramp profile or weaker rubber. Poorly aligned holes prevent assembly, unsupported end caps lift, coatings peel and reflective inserts detach. Packing can also distort sections, leaving gaps after installation.

Specify acceptance checks before production and trial an assembled sample on the intended surface. Vehicle-loading claims alone do not show that the profile suits low-clearance vehicles or loaded site traffic. Record defects by batch and hold affected sections for review.

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.