Sourcing tungsten balance weights from China
Tungsten heavy alloy balance weights classified under heading 8101 carry 0% UK duty from China across the relevant lines. Confirm the finished part's commodity code and whether it is waste: waste shipment controls apply only to waste material. Cambridge China Bridge sources tungsten heavy alloy balance weights.
UK duty on tungsten balance weights
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 8101 covers tungsten and its articles, including waste and scrap. The selected lines all carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. The table distinguishes finished weights from manufacturing inputs. See the wider tungsten sourcing guide.
The tariff attaches anti-dumping or countervailing registration to 8101 99 10 00. The published reference guide identifies this as covering consignments from Laos and Thailand, rather than direct consignments from China; registered imports can face retrospective duty. Confirm the consignment route with your customs broker. Powder and other-article lines carry waste import and export controls. Waste shipment controls apply only where the material is waste.
For waste imported from China into England under notification controls, the exporter must apply to the dispatch country's competent authority for consent. Ask your customs broker to confirm the attached control and the applicable waste procedure before shipment. For new balance weights, provide the alloy composition, drawing, manufacturing process and intended use when confirming the commodity code; do not assign the code solely from the word tungsten.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other tungsten articles, including finished balance weights where classified here | 8101 99 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Unwrought tungsten, including simply sintered bars and rods for machining | 8101 94 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Worked tungsten bars, rods and plates for making balance weights | 8101 99 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Tungsten powder feedstock for balance-weight manufacture | 8101 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
Alloy density, mass and mounting geometry
Specify tungsten-nickel-iron or tungsten-nickel-copper, the agreed grade, composition, density and finished mass tolerance. State whether magnetic behaviour matters. Give the factory a controlled drawing showing mounting holes, threads, locating faces, centre-of-mass position and surface finish. Agree how mass and fit will be accepted before production.
Request batch certificates and agree independent composition and density checks. For UK REACH, registration covers substances and only certain limited cases involving substances in articles; establish the position for the supplied form rather than assuming powder and finished weights have identical obligations. Use testing and certification support to define the evidence needed.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 500 kg of finished tungsten heavy alloy balance weights under 8101 99 90 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £30,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £30,800, so it is £6,160. 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
Mass and density: weigh finished parts against the drawing and measure sample density by the Archimedes method. A correct external size does not establish the ordered density.
Mounting geometry: measure locating faces, hole positions and threads against the drawing. Trial-fit samples to the intended assembly and check the agreed centre-of-mass position.
Composition and soundness: compare laboratory composition results with the batch certificate. Inspect machined edges, holes and surfaces for cracks, chips and visible porosity.
Traceability and packing: match part markings and carton records to the material batch. Check that packing prevents heavy parts moving against each other and damaging mounting faces.
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What goes wrong
Porosity can leave a weight below the ordered density and mass. Alloy substitution can change magnetic behaviour. Machining damage around holes or edges can compromise fit, while a misplaced hole or locating face can put the mass in the wrong position even when the part weighs correctly.
Keep an approved sample and drawing revision with the inspection brief. Agree acceptance criteria for density, mass, composition and mounting geometry separately. Hold discrepant batches for investigation before fitting them into equipment.
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 tungsten balance weights from China?
The supplied tariff reading shows 0% duty on all heading 8101 lines, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty for China. Confirm the finished weight's classification and consignment route.
Which tungsten heavy alloy should I specify?
Specify tungsten-nickel-iron or tungsten-nickel-copper, composition, density, finished mass and magnetic behaviour. Select the alloy against the assembly's requirements and verify samples.
Do finished tungsten weights need waste shipment consent?
Waste shipment controls apply only if the material is waste. The tariff attaches waste controls to the other-articles line; confirm the shipment's status and applicable requirement with your customs broker.
How do I check a tungsten balance weight on arrival?
Check finished mass, sample density, composition, mounting dimensions and cracks. Match the batch certificate to the delivered parts and trial-fit samples to the intended assembly.