Sourcing Woodruff keyseat cutters from China

Duty and classification

Heading 8207 covers interchangeable tools, including milling cutters. Woodruff keyseat cutters cut the curved seats used for half-moon keys in shafts. The table distinguishes working-part material, shank construction and intended workpiece; its other-milling-tools row is relevant only to non-metal applications.

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, the listed milling-tool lines carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control for these lines.

For a high speed steel shank-type cutter used on metal, check 8207 70 31 00 against the actual product. Confirm the commodity code using its drawing, working-part material and intended application. See the carbide end mills guide for the wider heading.

Specify the keyseat and cutter together

Give the factory the shaft and keyseat drawing as well as the cutter drawing. Specify cutting diameter, cutting width and tolerances, neck diameter and clearance, shank diameter, overall length, tooth geometry and cutting direction. State whether dimensions are metric or imperial and identify the holder used.

Agree the steel or carbide grade, hardness, coating and workpiece material. Ask for operating guidance covering suitable speeds, feeds and mounting. Workplace supply duties include safety so far as reasonably practicable, safe-use information and necessary testing or examination. Keep the supplier's guidance with the approved sample and inspection records.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative mixed batch of high speed steel Woodruff keyseat cutters under 8207 70 31 00, invoiced at £2,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £4,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £4,000, so it is £800. 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

Dimensions: measure cutting width and diameter, neck clearance and shank size against the approved drawing; check the tool can reach the specified seat without rubbing the shaft.

Material and edges: compare material certificates and sample hardness with the specification; inspect teeth for chips, burrs, uneven grinding and coating defects.

Runout and cutting: mount samples in the intended holder, measure radial and axial runout, then cut the specified shaft material and check seat width, depth, finish and key fit.

Identification and packing: check size and batch identification against the order, keep cutting edges separated and protected, and include the agreed operating guidance. Use quality inspection to record results against the drawing.

What goes wrong

A cutter can match its nominal diameter while producing an oversized seat because the cutting width or axial runout is wrong. Excess neck diameter can rub the shaft before the seat reaches depth. Confusing metric and imperial sizes can leave the key loose or prevent it seating.

Poor heat treatment or an unsuitable grade can cause rapid wear or tooth breakage. Approve samples by cutting the intended shaft material, then repeat dimensional and cutting checks on shipment samples. Quarantine cutters with chipped teeth, unexpected runout or inconsistent seat fit before issuing them to the workshop.

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.