Tools & Abrasives buying guideLast updated October 2026

Core Drill Bits

Clean round holes for taps, anchors and plumbing.

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Price level
Budget
Best to buy
Feb–Apr, Sep–Nov
Top sources
China flagSouth Korea flagItaly flag
Segmented diamond core drill bit held in a hand

Photo: Rob and Stephanie Levy, CC BY 2.0

Overview

What it is

Diamond core bits drill round holes, for taps, sinks, façade anchors and plumbing, by cutting a ring and leaving a core.

Wet bits with laser-welded segments suit machines and drilling rigs; vacuum-brazed and dry bits suit hand-held grinders on site.

Diameters
About 6 mm to 200 mm+
Types
Wet segmented, dry vacuum-brazed, thin-wall
Threads
½" gas, M14, 5/8"-11, 1¼"-7

Applications

Best used for

  • Tap and faucet holesClean holes in finished tops.
  • Anchor holes for façadesAccurate, repeatable depths.
  • Plumbing and electricalPenetrations through stone walls.
  • Test coresSamples for laboratory testing.

Origins

Which countries to source from

The producing countries that matter for core drill bits, what each is known for, and a direct link to vendors there.

Timing

Best time of year to buy

Consumables are bought all year, so timing is about stock: order ahead of the Lunar New Year shutdown in China and the August break in Italy, and buy trial quantities at the spring and autumn fairs.

  1. Jan: slower or pricier
  2. Feb: best time to buy
  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: best time to buy
  12. Dec: normal
Best time to buy Normal Slower or pricier
  • Chinese toolmakers close for Lunar New Year; place large orders by early December.
  • Italian and Spanish makers slow in August.
  • Hold four to eight weeks of stock of your fastest-moving tools to ride out shipping delays.

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

  • 8207.19Rock-drilling tools with diamond working part

Base import duty (MFN)

  • United States2.9% to 5% baseBase MFN rates are 2.9% or 5% depending on subcategory. Most non-EU imports now face a Section 301 forced-labor tariff (10% to 12.5%) introduced July 24, 2026.
  • European Union2.7%
  • 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.

  • 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.
  • South Korea flagSouth Korea12.5% min.Section 301 (2026) tops the duty up to at least 12.5% 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.
  • Most imports now face a Section 301 forced-labor tariff of 10% to 12.5% effective July 24, 2026.
  • Chinese goods are subject to an additional 25% Section 301 tariff plus the 12.5% forced-labor surcharge.

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. 1Match the bond to the stone's hardness.
  2. 2Keep bits cool; wet drilling extends life.
  3. 3Start at an angle or with a guide plate.
  4. 4Check thread compatibility with your tools.

Price level: Inexpensive consumables.

Vendor Network

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