Sourcing solid telehandler tyres from China

UK duty on solid telehandler tyres

Heading 4012 covers retreaded and used pneumatic rubber tyres, solid or cushion rubber tyres, tyre treads and tyre flaps. This guide covers solid rubber telehandler tyres under 4012 90 20 00. The table shows product variants sharing that commodity line.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, solid or cushion tyres from China carried 2% duty. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty, suspension or import control for this line. Other tyre constructions have different classifications and measures.

Send your broker the tyre construction, photographs, rim drawing and intended application, particularly if wheels are included. Use finding your commodity code to confirm classification before ordering. For other solid industrial tyre applications within this heading, see solid skid steer tyres.

Specify the tyre against the telehandler

Give the factory the telehandler make and model, existing tyre designation, rim drawing, outside diameter, width and fitting arrangement. Ask for load capacity at the intended travel speed and a drawing showing dimensional tolerances. Describe the site surface, loaded travel, turning conditions and whether non-marking rubber is needed.

Suppliers must supply safe work equipment. HSE advises using machinery in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Before changing from pneumatic to solid tyres, ask the telehandler maker to confirm the proposed tyre and rim combination, including its suitability for the machine's load chart. Matching the nominal size alone is an incomplete buying specification.

Agree the rubber compound, hardness, tread pattern and fitting instructions before production. Ask for a sample fitting and a controlled site trial arranged with the machine maker or tyre specialist. Set out these checks in the inspection brief.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 4 solid telehandler tyres 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

Identity: compare tyre designation, batch identification and the supplier's load and speed data with the purchase specification and machine maker's advice.

Dimensions: measure outside diameter, width and fitting dimensions against the agreed drawing; check a sample on the intended rim.

Rubber: check hardness against the agreed specification and inspect the tread, sidewalls and fitting area for cracks, voids, separation or loose material.

Fitting and trial: check seating, clearance and visible run-out after fitting; assess grip, vibration and floor marking during the agreed controlled trial.

What goes wrong

A tyre ordered only by its sidewall size can arrive with unsuitable fitting dimensions or without useful load and speed data. An agreed drawing and confirmation against the actual telehandler reduce the risk of receiving tyres that fit the rim but do not suit the application.

Solid rubber can crack or shed chunks, and a non-marking compound can still leave marks. Compare the delivered batch with the approved sample, retain photographs and batch details, and resolve fitting or trial concerns before releasing the remaining tyres for use.

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.