Sourcing vacuum pumps from China
The supplied vacuum pump lines under heading 8414 all carry 0% UK duty for goods from China. Powered pumps sold as complete machinery in Great Britain must meet machinery safety requirements, with conformity assessment, a declaration and marking. Specify pumping speed at the operating pressure. Cambridge China Bridge sources vacuum pumps.
Vacuum pump duty and classification
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 3 October 2026, the supplied vacuum pump lines under heading 8414 carry 0% duty for goods from China. These lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, tariff suspensions or attached import controls. This is the vacuum pump family within a heading that also covers compressors, fans and other equipment.
Classification depends on the pumping mechanism and intended use. The tandem automotive pump line has a tightly defined specification; its short table description does not establish eligibility. Match the full tariff description to the specification when confirming your commodity code. For another product family within the wider heading, see air compressors.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacuum pumps for semiconductor or flat panel display manufacture | 8414 10 15 00 | 0% | None |
| Specified tandem oil and vacuum pumps for motor vehicle engine manufacture | 8414 10 25 30 | 0% | None |
| Other rotary piston, sliding vane, molecular drag and Roots vacuum pumps | 8414 10 25 90 | 0% | None |
| Other diffusion pumps, cryopumps and absorption pumps | 8414 10 81 90 | 0% | None |
Specify pumping speed and operating pressure
State the process gas, operating pressure, required pumping speed at that pressure, ultimate pressure and continuous operating conditions. Agree whether the pump is dry or oil-lubricated, the inlet connection, exhaust treatment, cooling method, supply voltage, phase and frequency. Ask for a performance curve and specify the gauge and test arrangement used to verify it.
A powered pump supplied as complete machinery in Great Britain must meet the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, including essential health and safety requirements, conformity assessment, a declaration of conformity and the relevant marking. The responsible person must compile the technical file. Ask for model-specific documents and an English manual, and agree seals, filters, oil and replacement vanes where applicable.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: One industrial rotary vane vacuum pump; illustrative order, not a quote under 8414 10 25 90, invoiced at £6,000 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,900. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,900, so it is £1,380. 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
Performance: measure ultimate pressure and pumping performance using the agreed gauge and test arrangement; record inlet conditions, warm-up and whether gas ballast is open.
Condition: check for oil leaks, exhaust mist, abnormal vibration, overheating and damaged inlet threads; inspect these again after arrival.
Identity: match the pump, motor, nameplate and declaration to the ordered model; check connections, guards and controls against the approved specification.
Packing: check inlet and exhaust protection, transport orientation and restraint; agree how oil is handled during shipment. Use the quality inspection guide to plan checks.
What goes wrong
A headline pumping speed can hide weak performance at your operating pressure. An ultimate-pressure result obtained with a blanked inlet does not demonstrate performance with your process gas flowing. Compare like-for-like test conditions and check compatibility with moisture, particles and vapours before accepting a sample.
Oil carry-over, leaking seals and unsuitable inlet adaptors can disrupt installation even when the pump runs. Missing model-specific paperwork also leaves the buyer without evidence that the shipped machine matches the declaration. Agree the acceptance test, consumables and document pack before paying the balance.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on vacuum pumps from China?
All supplied vacuum pump lines under heading 8414 carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the exact commodity code.
What paperwork should I request for a vacuum pump?
For a complete powered pump, request the model-specific declaration of conformity, relevant conformity marking and English manual. The responsible person must compile the technical file.
How do I check a vacuum pump's performance?
Agree the gauge, inlet conditions and test arrangement. Check ultimate pressure and pumping performance at the intended operating pressure, rather than relying on a headline speed.
Should I buy a dry or oil-lubricated vacuum pump?
Choose against the process gas and acceptable contamination. Specify moisture and vapour exposure, exhaust treatment, maintenance needs and consumables before comparing samples.