Sourcing squeeze casting machines from China

0% duty and process-based classification

Heading 8454 covers converters, ladles, ingot moulds and casting machines used in metallurgy or metal foundries, plus parts. For squeeze casting equipment, check the casting-under-pressure line against the actual process. The table also includes other casting machines for classification comparison, casting-machine parts and ladles that may accompany a purchase.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, all supplied lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls. Import VAT is separate from customs duty.

Give your broker the process description, machine drawings and itemised shipment list to confirm the commodity code. Casting dies are classified separately under heading 8480. For the wider equipment family, see die-casting and foundry equipment.

Specify squeeze force and casting performance

State whether metal is poured directly into the die or injected before squeezing. Specify the alloy, casting geometry, squeeze force, pressure build-up and holding profile, platen dimensions, die-height range, stroke and ejection arrangement. Agree the cooling connections, electrical supply, hydraulic fluid, controls, spares and commissioning scope.

Agree a witnessed trial using your die and alloy, with acceptance criteria for dimensions, internal soundness and repeatability. Request recorded pressure and displacement traces alongside the trial castings. Check that the supplier can support the actual machine design through factory verification.

For Great Britain, confirm with HSE the applicable essential health and safety requirements and requirements for conformity marking, a declaration of conformity and English instructions for the supplied machine. CE or UKCA marking can be used for the Great Britain market. Match the declaration and supporting documents to the machine supplied.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 2 squeeze casting machines, illustrative order under 8454 30 10 00, invoiced at £230,000 free on board, with £14,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £244,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £244,000, so it is £48,800. 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

Casting trial: compare castings and recorded squeeze profiles with the agreed acceptance criteria, including performance after the machine has warmed up.

Guarding: check die-closing and ejection access, splash protection, interlocks and emergency stops with the supplier’s commissioning engineer.

Hydraulics: check hoses, connections, cylinder movement, pressure holding and leakage during the factory trial, then inspect again after arrival.

Delivery: match the machine identity, tooling interfaces, loose accessories and documents to the packing list. Check transit damage, corrosion and displaced connections before commissioning. Plan these checks through quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A machine may reach its quoted force but fail to hold the agreed squeeze profile during solidification. Poor die alignment, unstable cooling or inconsistent filling can leave castings outside the agreed quality limits. A dry cycle does not demonstrate casting performance.

Transport can disturb connections or expose unprotected surfaces to corrosion. Missing control backups, hydraulic drawings or usable spares information can delay commissioning. Agree who will resolve each failed acceptance check before shipment, and repeat the relevant checks on arrival.

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.