Machinery buying guideLast updated October 2026

Waterjet Cutter

Any shape, no heat, no stress.

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Price level
Premium
Best to buy
Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct
Top sources
USA flagSpain flagItaly flagChina flag
Five-axis waterjet cutting head over the cutting table

Photo: WARDJet, CC BY-SA 2.0

Overview

What it is

A waterjet cuts stone with a hair-thin stream of water at roughly 4,000 to 6,200 bar (60,000 to 90,000 psi), mixed with garnet abrasive. It follows any shape without heat or stress, which makes it perfect for inlays, medallions, intricate mosaics and sink cut-outs, and for fragile materials such as sintered stone and glass.

It is slower than a saw on straight cuts, which is why many shops pair it with a bridge saw or buy a combined saw-and-waterjet machine.

Pressure
About 4,000 to 6,200 bar
Abrasive
Garnet
Cuts
Any 2D shape; bevels with 5-axis heads
Running costs
Garnet, electricity, pump seals

Applications

Best used for

  • Inlays, medallions and mosaicsIntricate shapes that fit perfectly.
  • Sink and hob cut-outsTight inside radii.
  • Sintered stone and glassNo thermal or mechanical stress.
  • Signage and artLettering and logos in stone.

Origins

Which countries to source from

The producing countries that matter for waterjet cutter, what each is known for, and a direct link to vendors there.

Timing

Best time of year to buy

Buy around the big fairs: Xiamen and Marmomac Brazil in March, Coverings in April and Marmomac Verona in late September. Makers launch models and offer show pricing.

  1. Jan: normal
  2. Feb: normal
  3. Mar: best time to buy
  4. Apr: best time to buy
  5. May: normal
  6. Jun: normal
  7. Jul: normal
  8. Aug: slower or pricier
  9. Sep: best time to buy
  10. Oct: best time to buy
  11. Nov: normal
  12. Dec: normal
Best time to buy Normal Slower or pricier
  • Italian makers close for about three weeks in August; orders placed in July often slip to September.
  • Chinese makers close for Lunar New Year; order by early December for spring delivery.
  • Large lines are built to order: expect three to nine months from deposit to commissioning.
  • Plan installation for your own slow season so the changeover doesn't cost production.

Import costs

Tariffs and import duties

Base duties for the main import markets, the extra US surcharge by origin, and the trade remedies to check before you quote a landed price.

HS codes

  • 8456.50Water-jet cutting machines

Base import duty (MFN)

  • United States2.5%
  • European Union1.7%
  • United Kingdom0%

Importing into the US? Add the 2026 origin surcharge

Section 301 rates in force since 24 July 2026, stacked on the MFN rate above.

  • USA flagUSAMFN onlyNot on the July 2026 Section 301 list: MFN rate only.
  • Spain flagSpain10% min.Section 301 (2026) tops the duty up to at least 10% in total; no surcharge if MFN is already higher.
  • Italy flagItaly10% min.Section 301 (2026) tops the duty up to at least 10% in total; no surcharge if MFN is already higher.
  • China flagChina+12.5% & 30112.5% Section 301 (2026) plus the legacy China Section 301 duty (25% on most stone and machinery lines), on top of MFN.
  • Steel-heavy equipment can fall under US Section 232 derivative tariffs; if it does, the 2026 Section 301 surcharge does not apply. Check the current derivatives list.
  • The 10% Section 122 reciprocal surcharge on US imports expired on July 24, 2026.

Rates checked October 2026. Indicative rates for planning, not a customs ruling. Duties depend on the exact tariff line, origin, trade agreements and the rules in force on the day of entry. Confirm with a licensed customs broker before you price an order.

Before you order

Buying checklist

  1. 1Pump type (intensifier or direct drive) and working pressure.
  2. 2Garnet consumption and recycling options.
  3. 3Table size and a 5-axis bevel head.
  4. 4Nesting and inlay software.
  5. 5Water treatment requirements for the pump.

Price level: Pump and garnet are the main running costs; the machine itself is mid to high.

Vendor Network

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