Sourcing Thrust Ball Bearings from China
Complete thrust ball bearings from China normally carry 8% UK duty; separate balls carry 6%, while some parts have a 0% suspension. Match the commodity code and any relief to the actual goods and use, rather than assuming all bearing parts receive the same treatment. Cambridge China Bridge sources thrust ball bearings.
Duty on complete bearings and separate parts
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 8482 covers ball or roller bearings and their parts. Complete thrust ball bearings fall within the ball-bearing lines, normally carrying 8% duty from China. Separate bearing balls under 8482 91 90 90 carry 6%. The supplied tariff data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty for these selected lines.
The ball-bearing lines list narrowly defined authorised-use suspensions at 0%; do not assume an ordinary thrust bearing qualifies. Other bearing parts under 8482 99 00 90 list a 0% autonomous suspension, with a footnote excluding mixtures, preparations or products made up of different components containing these products. No import controls are attached to the selected lines in the supplied data.
Confirm the commodity code using the drawing, greatest external diameter and whether the shipment contains complete bearings or separate components. The table includes parts relevant to thrust bearings, rather than treating every row as a complete bearing. See ball and roller bearings for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thrust ball bearings, greatest external diameter not exceeding 30 mm, other | 8482 10 10 90 | 8% | None |
| Other thrust ball bearings | 8482 10 90 00 | 8% | None |
| Separate bearing balls, other | 8482 91 90 90 | 6% | None |
| Other bearing parts, including thrust bearing washers and cages | 8482 99 00 90 | 8% | None |
Specify axial load, washers and cage
State whether the bearing must carry axial load in a single direction or both directions. Provide the shaft and housing drawings, bore, outside diameter, assembled height, washer seating profile, operating speed and axial load. Ask the supplier to confirm the proposed bearing's load rating and suitability for the mounting arrangement.
Agree washer and ball materials, heat-treatment records, cage material, dimensional tolerances and lubrication. Define a sample test under the intended axial load and speed, with agreed temperature and vibration acceptance criteria. Specify whether lubrication is supplied or added during installation; do not copy a radial bearing's seal or clearance specification without checking the design.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 3,000 thrust ball bearing assemblies under 8482 10 90 00, invoiced at £36,000 free on board, with £1,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £37,500. Duty at 8% is £3,000. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £40,500, so it is £8,100. Import taxes total £11,100; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £3,000 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Dimensions: measure washer bores, outside diameters and assembled height against the drawing; check shaft and housing washers are correctly identified.
Raceways and materials: inspect for rust, dents and grinding damage; match material and hardness records to the production batch.
Assembly and running: check the cage retains the balls, all matched components are present, and samples rotate smoothly under the agreed axial test load.
Packing and identity: check rust protection, individual component retention, batch markings and brand authenticity. Agree sampling through quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
Mixed shaft and housing washers can prevent correct seating. Poor raceway finish, damaged balls, contamination or unsuitable lubrication can cause noise, heat and early surface damage. Loose components can knock together in transit. Compare arrival samples with the approved assembly and retain batch records before releasing stock.
Re-marked bearings create authenticity and supply-chain risks. Confirm the legal implications of selling suspected counterfeit bearings with the relevant authority. Border Force contacts the rights holder when it detects suspect goods at the border to check whether they are genuine. Verify branded stock before shipment, or agree the factory's own brand or unbranded supply.
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 thrust ball bearings from China?
Complete thrust ball bearings normally carry 8% duty. Separate balls carry 6%; some other parts have a 0% suspension. Confirm the exact line and any suspension conditions.
Can I use a thrust ball bearing for radial loads?
Specify the actual axial and radial loads and ask for engineering confirmation. A thrust ball bearing should not be selected as a substitute for a radial bearing merely because its dimensions fit.
What should I check when thrust bearings arrive?
Check washer dimensions and identity, assembled height, raceway condition, cage integrity, rust protection and batch markings. Run samples under the axial load agreed with the supplier.
Can I claim the suspension on any bearing order?
No. The listed ball-bearing suspensions concern specified goods and authorised uses. Other parts have separate conditions. Ask your customs broker to check eligibility before declaring relief.