Sourcing tipper truck bodies from China
Tipper truck bodies from China carry 4% UK duty across the relevant tariff lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty listed. A body fitted to a chassis-cab completes a vehicle that needs approval before registration. Agree chassis fit, tipping gear and approval responsibility before production. Cambridge China Bridge sources tipper truck bodies.
UK duty on tipper truck bodies
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 8707 covers bodies, including cabs, for vehicles of headings 8701 to 8705. This guide concerns tipper bodies supplied separately from the truck chassis. The relevant lines carry 4% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or steel measure listed in the supplied snapshot.
The snapshot attaches a control labelled DCMS Export Licence. Official guidance concerns export licences for objects of cultural interest leaving Great Britain for destinations outside the UK. Ask your customs broker to confirm how the attached control and its document waiver apply to your China import.
Code 8707 90 90 00 is the general other-body line; 8707 90 10 00 describes specified industrial assembly uses. The table repeats the general line for different body types, rather than separate tariff categories. Confirm the chassis application and shipped configuration through finding your commodity code. See the wider truck bodies and cabs guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel rear-tipping truck bodies, other | 8707 90 90 00 | 4% | None |
| Tipper bodies for qualifying industrial assembly | 8707 90 10 00 | 4% | None |
Specify chassis fit and tipping equipment
Send the factory the chassis manufacturer's mounting drawings. Agree subframe dimensions, mounting points, wheel clearance, rear hinge position and clearance between the raised body and cab. Specify the load material, body capacity, empty weight, floor and sidewall materials, plate thicknesses, wear liners and tailgate arrangement.
Define whether the supply includes the hydraulic cylinder, pump, hoses, controls, body prop and sheeting equipment. Agree hydraulic compatibility, maintenance access, spare seals and pins, and the drawings and operating instructions to accompany the body.
For a body fitted to a chassis-cab, confirm with the relevant vehicle approval authority whether completed vehicle approval is needed before registration, whether multi-stage or individual approval is appropriate, and which chassis supplier documents are needed. Agree who handles any required approval. Check lighting, underrun protection, side guards and plates against the finished vehicle's requirements. Some vehicles are exempt from approval, so confirm the applicable route with the bodybuilder.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small batch of complete tipper truck bodies under 8707 90 90 00, invoiced at £20,000 free on board, with £6,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £26,800. Duty at 4% is £1,072. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £27,872, so it is £5,574.40. Import taxes total £6,646.40; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,072 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Fit: measure the subframe, mounting points, hinge alignment and clearances against the approved chassis drawing before shipment and again on arrival.
Structure: check material records, floor and sidewall thicknesses, weld finish, hinge pins, bushes, corrosion protection and transport distortion.
Tipping gear: arrange a controlled functional check of lifting, lowering, hose routing and tailgate release. Check for leaks and interference. HSE guidance recommends supporting raised bodies with props during repair.
Documents and packing: match the body identification to drawings and the packing list; check approval documents agreed with the bodybuilder, loose fittings and protection for hydraulic connections. Use quality inspection explained to define the report.
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What goes wrong
A body can match the requested length yet miss the chassis mounting points or foul the cab when raised. Misaligned hinges, unsuitable hydraulic connections and a tailgate that catches the load can delay installation. Treat changes to the subframe, cylinder or tailgate as drawing changes requiring review before production.
Arrival checks can reveal bent mounting brackets, damaged cylinder rods, missing fittings or coating damage hidden by packing. Record these before installation. During tipping demonstrations, keep people away from behind the vehicle while the body is raised or tipping, as HSE guidance directs.
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 tipper truck bodies from China?
The relevant heading 8707 lines carry 4% duty in the supplied tariff snapshot. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is listed.
Which commodity code covers a tipper truck body?
8707 90 90 00 is the general other-body line. 8707 90 10 00 covers specified industrial assembly uses. Confirm the chassis application and supplied configuration with your customs broker.
Does fitting a tipper body need vehicle approval?
For a body fitted to a chassis-cab, confirm with the relevant vehicle approval authority whether the completed vehicle requires approval before registration or qualifies for an exemption. Agree the route and responsibility with the bodybuilder and chassis supplier.
What should I send a Chinese tipper body factory?
Send chassis mounting drawings, load details, body dimensions, material specifications, tailgate design and hydraulic interface details. State which tipping equipment and documents the order includes.