Sourcing wheel nuts from China

Wheel-nut classification and UK duty

Heading 7318 covers iron or steel fasteners, including nuts. For wheel nuts, the relevant branches distinguish stainless steel, self-locking construction and other nuts by inside diameter. The table describes tariff categories rather than confirming that every wheel nut belongs in each category. Match the actual material and construction to the declaration. For castellated designs, see our castellated nut sourcing guide.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the supplied record shows 0% third-country duty for all the selected nut lines for goods from China. It lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension, steel trade measure or attached import control on those lines. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.

Confirm the code using the drawing, material declaration, locking mechanism and inside diameter with your customs broker. See finding your commodity code. For the wider product family, read automotive aftermarket parts.

Specify the thread and wheel seat

Specify thread diameter, pitch, handedness, engagement length, overall length, socket size and whether the nut is open or closed. Define the mating seat as conical, spherical or flat, with its dimensions and any washer arrangement. A vehicle name alone is insufficient: identify the intended wheel and stud combination.

Agree the steel grade, heat treatment, mechanical acceptance criteria, coating and corrosion test method. Request batch-linked material and test records. Define tightening instructions for the intended assembly, including the assumed surface condition. Test representative nuts with the intended studs and wheels before accepting bulk production.

Great Britain's general product safety rules cover products intended for or foreseeably used by consumers. For wheel nuts, focus the assessment on thread stripping, cracking, incorrect seat contact and loss of clamping force.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 4,000 steel wheel nuts; illustrative FOB value and freight in whole pounds under 7318 16 92 90, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,800, so it is £960. 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

Thread: check pitch, diameter and engagement with agreed gauges and representative studs; look for burrs, damaged starts and coating inside the thread.

Seat and clearance: compare the contact profile with the approved drawing and wheel; check socket access and that closed nuts do not bottom out on the stud.

Material and finish: match batch records to the shipment, verify agreed hardness and mechanical tests, and inspect for cracks, peeling coating and loose decorative caps.

Packing and identification: check that thread variants remain separated and carton references match the order and batch records. Repeat agreed fit checks on arrival before releasing stock.

What goes wrong

A nut can screw onto a stud yet have the wrong wheel seat or insufficient engagement. Closed nuts can bottom out before clamping the wheel. Coating build-up can obstruct threads, while decorative caps can loosen or distort and prevent proper socket engagement.

Do not substitute a different steel grade, seat profile or coating without reviewing fit and test results. Quarantine mismatched or damaged batches and compare them with the approved sample. Arrange testing and certification support around the actual wheel-nut design and intended use.

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.