Sourcing solid rubber trolley tyres from China
Solid rubber trolley tyres from China carry 2% UK import duty across this product family under 4012 90 20 00. For tyres intended or likely to be used by consumers in Great Britain, product safety responsibilities apply. Confirm rim fit and loaded rolling performance. Cambridge China Bridge sources solid rubber trolley tyres.
UK duty on solid rubber trolley tyres
Heading 4012 covers retreaded and used pneumatic rubber tyres, solid or cushion tyres, tyre treads and tyre flaps. This guide concerns solid rubber trolley tyres supplied as tyres rather than complete wheel assemblies. The table shows buying variants within the same solid or cushion tyre commodity line.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, solid or cushion tyres under 4012 90 20 00 carried 2% duty on goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or import control for this line. Import VAT is normally 20%. These findings concern the solid tyre line, rather than every product within the heading.
Give your broker the material description, drawing, fitting method and confirmation of whether a hub is included to confirm the commodity code. For related products within the heading, see the solid wheelbarrow tyre guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid rubber replacement tyres for platform trolleys | 4012 90 20 00 | 2% | None |
Specify rim fit, compound and trolley load
Specify tyre outside diameter, width, internal fitting profile and the mating rim drawing. State whether you want a tyre alone or an assembled wheel. Agree the fitting method and dimensional tolerances using a sample mounted on your actual rim, rather than accepting a catalogue size as proof of compatibility.
Agree rubber hardness, tread profile and the operating surface. Describe the trolley load, movement pattern and whether it remains loaded while parked. Ask for load-test evidence for the proposed tyre and rim combination. Where floor marking matters, approve the compound by running a loaded sample on the intended floor.
In Great Britain, the General Product Safety Regulations apply to products intended or likely to be used by consumers under reasonably foreseeable conditions. Businesses importing or selling consumer products are responsible for their safety. For those applications, assess the tyre in its intended trolley use, including fit, load and foreseeable misuse.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 1,200 solid rubber trolley tyres, tyre only, without hubs; illustrative order and values under 4012 90 20 00, invoiced at £3,500 free on board, with £910 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,410. Duty at 2% is £88.20. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,498.20, so it is £899.64. Import taxes total £987.84; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £88.20 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Dimensions and fit: measure outside diameter, width and internal profile against the approved drawing; mount sampled tyres on the intended rim and check seating, clearance and retention.
Rubber and finish: compare hardness with the agreed specification and inspect for cracks, voids, embedded debris, excessive moulding flash and damaged fitting surfaces.
Loaded rolling: run the trolley with the agreed test load, checking starting effort, wobble, tyre movement on the rim and permanent deformation after standing loaded.
Floor marking and identity: trial the claimed non-marking compound on the intended surface; match carton descriptions, tyre sizes and factory batch references to the order.
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What goes wrong
A nominal size can hide a different internal profile, leaving the tyre loose or impossible to fit. Compound changes can produce cracking, chunks breaking away, heavier pushing effort or marks on floors. A tyre that rolls freely unloaded may deform or slip on the rim when the trolley carries its working load.
Keep an approved mounted sample and record the rim drawing, compound and inspection criteria in the purchase specification. Repeat the fit and loaded-floor checks on arrival before releasing stock. Use the quality inspection guide to turn these checks into a written inspection brief.
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 solid rubber trolley tyres from China?
The supplied tariff record gives 2% under 4012 90 20 00, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or import control for this line.
Can I use the tyre code for a complete trolley wheel?
Ask your broker to classify the actual assembly. Supply a drawing showing the tyre, hub and any bearings rather than assuming the tyre-only code covers the complete wheel.
How do I check non-marking trolley tyres?
Run a loaded sample on the floor where the trolley will operate. Check marks after turning and repeated travel, and compare the delivered compound with the approved sample.
Which safety rules apply to consumer-use trolley tyres?
In Great Britain, the General Product Safety Regulations cover products intended or likely to be used by consumers. Importers and sellers of consumer products are responsible for their safety.