Sourcing vertical turning lathes from China
Vertical turning lathes for removing metal from China carry 2% UK duty across the relevant commodity lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty shown. Confirm the applicable machinery supply safety requirements, conformity documents and English-instruction requirements with the relevant market surveillance authority. Cambridge China Bridge sources vertical turning lathes.
UK duty on vertical turning lathes
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 8458 covers lathes, including turning centres, for removing metal. Vertical machines fall within the other-lathes branches, divided by numerical control and whether they are turning centres. The table shows product configurations; the turret and ram turning-centre examples share a commodity code.
The relevant lines carry 2% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff records show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspensions. The UK Trade Tariff attaches an import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases. Ask the factory whether any supplied cooling equipment contains refrigerant and obtain its type and charge. Have your customs broker confirm the applicable control and declaration requirements; imported F-gas equipment must be correctly labelled.
Confirm the commodity code from the machine's actual functions and control system before ordering. See the lathes and CNC turning centres guide for the wider heading.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical numerically controlled turning centres with turret tooling | 8458 91 20 00 | 2% | None |
| Other numerically controlled vertical lathes | 8458 91 80 00 | 2% | None |
| Vertical lathes without numerical control | 8458 99 00 00 | 2% | None |
Specify the table, workpiece and tooling
Specify table diameter, maximum turning diameter and height, allowable workpiece mass, clamping arrangement and clearance for loading. Define the workpiece envelope with the actual jaws and tooling fitted. State whether you need a turret or ram, live tooling, indexing, coolant filtration and chip removal.
Agree table speed and torque, axis travel, control make and version, electrical supply, foundation requirements and installation responsibilities. Give the factory representative parts and agreed accuracy checks. Confirm with the relevant market surveillance authority the applicable essential health and safety requirements, declaration of conformity and English-instruction requirements under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 for new machines. CE marking remains recognised in Great Britain; confirm the available UKCA route with that authority.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: A vertical numerically controlled turning centre for a machine shop; illustrative only under 8458 91 20 00, invoiced at £150,000 free on board, with £9,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £159,000. Duty at 2% is £3,180. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £162,180, so it is £32,436. Import taxes total £35,616; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £3,180 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Table and clamping: check table run-out, jaw movement, workpiece clearance and the agreed loading arrangement. Inspect the table, ram and slideways for transit damage on arrival.
Accuracy and cutting: record axis positioning and repeatability, then cut the agreed parts. Measure bore size, roundness, face flatness and surface finish against the contract; repeat the checks after installation and levelling.
Safety and documents: test guards, door interlocks and emergency stops. Match the machine identification to the declaration of conformity and English manual; check that operating and maintenance instructions cover the delivered configuration.
Delivered equipment: confirm the control version, tooling, coolant system and spares against the order. Record loose assemblies and missing items before installation. Use the quality inspection guide to plan the checks.
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What goes wrong
A quoted turning diameter may not leave enough clearance for the jaws or toolholder. A heavy workpiece can expose inadequate table torque or an unsuitable clamping arrangement. Agree a cutting trial that represents your workpiece and tooling, rather than accepting an unloaded demonstration.
Transit damage, poor levelling and a different control configuration can undermine factory results. Keep the acceptance records, repeat the agreed measurements after installation and resolve mismatched documents before accepting the machine. If cooling equipment contains refrigerant, send its details to the broker before dispatch.
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 vertical turning lathes from China?
The relevant lines carry 2% duty in the supplied tariff records read on 1 October 2026, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty shown.
Which commodity code covers a vertical turning lathe?
Numerically controlled turning centres use 8458 91 20 00; other numerically controlled vertical lathes use 8458 91 80 00; non-numerically controlled vertical lathes use 8458 99 00 00. Confirm the actual machine's classification.
What documents should accompany a new vertical lathe?
Check the declaration of conformity and English instructions against the delivered machine. CE marking remains recognised in Great Britain; confirm the applicable machinery supply safety requirements and available UKCA route with the relevant market surveillance authority.
How do I check a vertical lathe before shipment?
Check table run-out, clamping, axis accuracy, guards and interlocks. Cut representative parts using the agreed tooling, record the results and repeat the accuracy checks after installation.