Sourcing screwdriver bits from China
Screwdriver bits from China carry 0% UK import duty, with no trade remedy recorded in the supplied tariff data. Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe. Specify tip geometry, shank fit and heat treatment, then test production samples with the intended screws. Cambridge China Bridge sources screwdriver bits.
Screwdriver bits: 0% duty
Heading 8207 covers interchangeable tools for hand tools and machine tools, including screw driving. Screwdriver bits have their own line, 8207 90 30 00. The table shows different bit profiles under that same commodity line, rather than separate tariff classifications.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, screwdriver bits from China carried 0% duty. The supplied line records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. Import VAT is separate from customs duty.
Confirm the commodity code against the actual goods and packaging. Mixed accessory kits may be classified as sets or as separate items. See the drill bits and saw blades guide for the wider tool-accessory range. For torque wrenches, see our torque wrench sourcing guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slotted screwdriver bits | 8207 90 30 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the screw recess and driver fit
Specify the screw recess profile and size, tip drawing, shank dimensions, overall length, steel grade, heat treatment, hardness and surface finish. Distinguish Phillips from Pozidriv profiles and agree samples for each size. State whether the bits are intended for manual, powered or impact driving, and agree a performance test using the intended screws and driver.
Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe. Build the specification around foreseeable slipping, tip breakage and fragment risks. Agree usage information, pack artwork and batch identification before production, and keep the approved samples alongside the test results.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 10,000 screwdriver bits, individually packed; illustrative order, not a quotation under 8207 90 30 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £32,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £32,000, so it is £6,400. 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
Profile and fit: compare tip geometry with the drawing, seat samples in the intended screw recesses, and check shank engagement and retention in the intended holder.
Steel and heat treatment: compare material records with the agreed grade, measure sample hardness and test driving performance against the approved sample.
Finish and condition: check for burrs, cracks, rust and uneven coating, including around the tip and shank retention groove.
Packs and assortment: check size markings, profile labels, assortment contents and case closure against the approved artwork during inspection.
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What goes wrong
A cross-head bit can look correct but fit the wrong recess poorly, causing slipping and damaged screws. Tips that are too soft round off; brittle tips can chip or snap. Shank variation can leave bits loose in a holder or difficult to remove. A coating can conceal rough machining without correcting the tip geometry.
Test production samples rather than relying only on the factory's display sample. Include repeated driving and removal with the intended screws, compare wear and breakage with the approved sample, and investigate batch changes before accepting repeat shipments.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on screwdriver bits from China?
The supplied tariff data records 0% duty under 8207 90 30 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control.
Can Phillips and Pozidriv bits be substituted?
Specify them separately. Compare each tip with the intended screw recess and approve a sample for each profile and size.
How do I check an impact-rated screwdriver bit?
Agree a test using the intended impact driver and screws. Assess fit, wear, twisting and breakage against an approved sample rather than accepting the label alone.
What should I check in a screwdriver bit set?
Check every listed profile and size, tip markings, holder fit, missing or duplicated pieces, and whether the case retains the bits and closes properly.