Sourcing tyre vulcanising moulds from China
Tyre vulcanising moulds from China carry 0% UK duty across the relevant rubber mould lines, with no listed trade remedies. If buyer-provided tooling stays in China, ask your customs broker whether and how its cost not included in the seller's price should enter the imported tyres' customs value. Cambridge China Bridge sources tyre vulcanising moulds.
UK duty on tyre vulcanising moulds
Heading 8480 covers moulds for rubber alongside other moulds and tooling. For tyre vulcanising moulds, distinguish injection or compression types under 8480 71 00 00 from other rubber moulds under 8480 79 00 00. The table also includes separately supplied mould bases and non-wood moulding patterns used to make moulds; these are different goods from a complete tyre mould.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the supplied data shows 0% duty on goods from China for every listed line. It records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. If you provide a mould that stays in China to produce imported tyres, tooling costs omitted from the seller's price must be included in the tyres' customs value and apportioned across shipments.
Confirm the commodity code using drawings, the moulding process and a precise description of what ships. Describe a complete mould, a mould base or a manufacturing pattern separately. For the wider product family, see rubber compression moulds.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber injection or compression moulds for tyre production | 8480 71 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other rubber moulds for tyre production | 8480 79 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Mould bases supplied separately | 8480 20 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Non-wood moulding patterns for making tyre moulds | 8480 30 90 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the tyre cavity and curing press interface
Supply approved tyre and tread drawings, sidewall lettering, bead geometry and the intended rubber compound. Specify a segmented or split mould, cavity material, surface finish, vent positions and replaceable inserts. Identify which parts belong to the order, including sidewall plates, bead rings and any container assembly.
Give the factory the curing press interface drawing, mounting arrangement, opening movement and heating method. Agree operating conditions, dimensional acceptance criteria and a trial using your intended compound. Put tooling ownership, maintenance, storage and removal arrangements in writing, particularly when the mould remains at the Chinese factory.
If solid wood crates, pallets or supports are used for shipment to Great Britain, the wood packaging must meet the applicable requirements. Ask the packing service or freight forwarder to confirm compliance before dispatch.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: a replacement tyre compression mould set for a small retreading business under 8480 71 00 00, invoiced at £20,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £22,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £22,000, so it is £4,400. 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
Cavity and lettering: compare the tread, grooves, sidewall text, bead features and insert orientation with approved drawings. Check engraving on a trial tyre, rather than relying only on mould photographs.
Material and assembly: match material certificates to the supplied components, check agreed hardness and surface finish, and inspect mating faces, segment movement, alignment and mounting dimensions.
Vents and trial tyres: check that vents are open and clean. Examine trial tyres for trapped air, incomplete tread detail, flash and damage during release; record the curing conditions with the dimensional report.
Arrival condition: check for corrosion, damaged cavity edges and missing rings or inserts. Match component identification to the packing list, check protective packing and photograph damage before assembly. Use an agreed inspection brief.
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What goes wrong
A mould can match the tyre drawing yet fail to fit the buyer's press. Incorrect mounting dimensions or opening geometry cause installation problems, while poor segment alignment leaves flash. Blocked vents trap air, and damaged engraving or misplaced inserts reproduce defects on each tyre.
Avoid accepting photographs as proof of performance. Agree the press interface before machining, approve trial tyres with recorded curing conditions, and retain the drawings and acceptance report. Check that the shipped mould matches the approved assembly and that ownership and access to replacement inserts are documented.
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 tyre vulcanising moulds from China?
The supplied tariff data shows 0% duty for the relevant rubber mould lines, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Which commodity code covers a tyre vulcanising mould?
Check 8480 71 00 00 for injection or compression types and 8480 79 00 00 for other rubber moulds. Confirm the process and what is supplied before declaring the code.
What drawings should I send the Chinese mould factory?
Send the tyre cavity, tread, sidewall lettering, bead geometry and curing press interface drawings. Identify the compound, heating method, inserts and supplied components.
How do I approve a tyre mould before shipment?
Check dimensions, assembly movement, vents and material records, then inspect trial tyres made with the intended compound. Record curing conditions and agree acceptance before dispatch.