Sourcing seed drills from China
Seed drills from China carry 0% UK import duty across the relevant lines of heading 8432, with no listed trade remedies. New machines placed on the Great Britain market must meet machinery safety requirements, carry UKCA or CE marking, and come with a declaration of conformity and English instructions. Cambridge China Bridge sources seed drills.
Seed drill duty and classification
Heading 8432 covers agricultural, horticultural and forestry machinery for soil preparation or cultivation. For seed drills, distinguish no-till direct seeders, central driven precision spacing seeders and other seeders. The parts line is relevant where replacement components are classified within this heading. See the wider cultivators and farm machinery guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 October 2026, all selected lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. Import VAT is separate from customs duty.
Give your customs broker the drilling method, drive arrangement, intended crops and details of any separately shipped parts. Confirm the commodity code against the actual machine rather than accepting the factory's description alone.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-till direct seed drills | 8432 31 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Central driven precision spacing seeders | 8432 39 11 00 | 0% | None |
| Other seed drills and seeders | 8432 39 19 00 | 0% | None |
| Seed drill parts classified under this heading | 8432 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the seed metering and tractor fit
State whether the drill works into prepared ground or directly into uncultivated soil. Specify seed types, row spacing, working width, hopper capacity, metering adjustment and depth control. Agree a calibration procedure using your intended seed, with separate collection from each outlet to reveal uneven delivery.
Confirm hitch dimensions, tractor lift capacity, hydraulic connections and any power take-off drive. For pneumatic drills, agree fan drive, hose routing and access for clearing blockages. Request drawings and an illustrated parts list covering metering rollers, coulters, discs, bearings and seed tubes.
New machinery supplied in Great Britain must meet machinery safety requirements, carry UKCA or CE marking, and include a declaration of conformity and English instructions. Match these documents to the ordered model and agree how the supplier will provide supporting safety documentation before shipment.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 60 compact seed drills, illustrative only under 8432 39 19 00, invoiced at £21,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £23,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £23,500, so it is £4,700. 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
Metering: collect seed from each outlet during a calibration run and compare delivery with the agreed settings. Check for seed damage, leakage and missed outlets.
Ground engagement: inspect coulter alignment, disc rotation, depth adjustment and press wheels. Demonstrate operation in soil representative of the intended use.
Drive and frame: check chains, sprockets, bearings, welds, hitch pins and hydraulic hoses. Inspect guards around moving drives and any power take-off shaft.
Arrival and paperwork: check transport damage, missing fittings and loose seed tubes. Match the nameplate, conformity marking, declaration and English manual to the delivered model before a guarded commissioning run.
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What goes wrong
A drill can look complete while its metering rollers suit a different seed. Uneven outlet delivery, slipping drive wheels, blocked tubes and inconsistent coulter depth can leave gaps or crowded rows. Use the intended seed during sample trials and record the settings so the production machines can be compared with the approved sample.
A mismatched hitch or hydraulic arrangement can prevent commissioning, while bent coulters and crushed tubes can result from poor packing. Agree secured packing, an arrival inspection and replacement wear parts before shipment. Use a quality inspection brief that includes calibration and tractor compatibility.
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 seed drills from China?
The relevant seed drill and parts lines in heading 8432 carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff data, read on 30 October 2026. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is listed.
Do seed drills need CE or UKCA marking?
New machinery placed on the Great Britain market must carry UKCA or CE marking, be supplied with a declaration of conformity and have instructions in English.
How do I check a seed drill before shipment?
Run a calibration test with the intended seed, compare output from each outlet, check depth adjustment and demonstrate the hitch, hydraulics and drive with a suitable tractor.
What spare parts should I order with a seed drill?
Agree parts matching the exact model, including metering rollers, coulters, discs, bearings and seed tubes. Obtain drawings and part references so replacements can be identified.