Sourcing sheet metal guillotines from China
Sheet metal guillotines from China carry 0% UK duty across the relevant shearing lines, with no trade remedies recorded. New powered machines placed on the Great Britain market must carry UKCA or CE marking, a declaration of conformity and English instructions. Cambridge China Bridge sources sheet metal guillotines.
Duty and shearing-machine classification
Heading 8462 includes machines that shear metal. For standalone sheet metal guillotines, distinguish numerically controlled shearing machines from other shearing machines. The table also includes slitting and cut-to-length lines for comparison; these describe production lines rather than standalone guillotines.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 18 October 2026, the selected lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff records show no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. Machinery safety obligations still apply independently of the tariff.
Give your customs broker the machine specification, control description and details of any integrated line before confirming the commodity code. For other machines in the heading, see press brakes and metal-forming machines.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Numerically controlled sheet-metal shearing machines | 8462 33 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other sheet-metal shearing machines | 8462 39 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Numerically controlled slitting and cut-to-length lines, for comparison | 8462 32 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other slitting and cut-to-length lines, for comparison | 8462 32 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the sheet and the finished cut
Specify sheet material and strength, maximum thickness for each material, usable cutting length and the narrowest strip you intend to cut. Agree tolerances for cut length, squareness, burr and distortion using your actual material. Ask whether the quoted capacity applies across the full cutting length.
Agree blade-clearance adjustment, rake adjustment where fitted, hold-down arrangement, back-gauge travel and repeatability, sheet supports and collection of offcuts. Confirm the workshop electrical supply, machine footprint, lifting arrangements, controller language, spare blades and hydraulic and electrical diagrams.
New powered machinery placed on the Great Britain market must be UKCA or CE marked, supplied with a declaration of conformity and have instructions in English. Ask for documents matching the ordered machine and configuration, and arrange a testing and certification review before shipment.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Two numerically controlled sheet-metal guillotines; illustrative order only under 8462 33 00 00, invoiced at £28,000 free on board, with £4,000 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
Cut quality: trial your specified materials across the usable blade length; measure squareness, repeatability, burr and strip distortion against the agreed acceptance criteria.
Blade and hold-downs: check blade condition, clearance adjustment, sheet clamping, support arms and back-gauge movement; look for sheet slippage and surface marking.
Guarding and controls: have a competent person test the agreed front and rear protection, interlocks, emergency stops and foot-pedal protection without exposing anyone to the cutting zone.
Arrival condition: inspect for corrosion, loose fittings, hydraulic leaks and transit damage; reconcile the machine identity, supplied accessories, declaration and English instructions. Use the agreed quality inspection plan.
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What goes wrong
A capacity quoted for mild steel may not suit your stainless sheet. Poor blade clearance produces burr or distortion, weak hold-downs let material move, and back-gauge play makes strip widths inconsistent. A demonstration on thin sheet does not establish performance on your specified material.
Unprotected blades and tables can corrode in transit. Missing supports make large sheets awkward to position, while inaccessible controller settings complicate commissioning. Record acceptance cuts and settings before dispatch, agree replacement blade details, and compare the delivered machine with the approved configuration.
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 sheet metal guillotines from China?
The relevant shearing-machine lines carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff snapshot, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duties recorded.
Which commodity code covers a sheet metal guillotine?
Numerically controlled shearing machines fall under 8462 33 00 00; other shearing machines under 8462 39 00 00. Confirm the machine configuration with your customs broker.
Does a guillotine need CE or UKCA marking?
New powered machinery placed on the Great Britain market must have UKCA or CE marking, a declaration of conformity and instructions in English.
What should I ask the factory to cut before shipment?
Ask for cuts in your specified material and thickness across the usable blade length. Check squareness, burr, distortion and repeated back-gauge positioning against agreed tolerances.