How to export Aluminium profiles to China

Aluminium profiles, sheet and articles: classify before quoting

The listed Chinese tariff line for hollow aluminium-alloy profiles is 76042100.

HMRC recorded £34.7m of UK goods exports to mainland China under 16 HS6 subheadings in 2025 (2024: £28.2m, +23.1%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £3.8m. January to July 2026: £19.3m against £18.3m in the same months of 2025 (+5.5%). These are UK exports under HS 7604-7616 (16 subheadings).

The largest UK export line was 76061299, alloy plates, sheets and strip, at £8.5m under HS 760612 in 2025. These are HS-code totals. Match your actual material, dimensions and intended use to the buyer’s requirements when assessing the opportunity.

Price against the Chinese tariff line

The listed Chinese lines have MFN rates from 5% to 9%. Alloy hollow profiles under 76042100 attract 5%; alloy sheet lines under 760612 attract 6%. Under 761300, the rate differs between the Chinese subheadings. Have the importer’s customs broker confirm the classification before you settle the selling price.

The VAT Law sets a standard import VAT rate of 13%, subject to its exceptions. Import VAT is calculated on customs value plus customs duty plus consumption tax, multiplied by the applicable VAT rate. The importer’s customs broker or adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies to these goods. Border taxes add to landed cost and shape the price the importer can offer.

Prepare the UK declaration for the actual shipment

For exports from England, Scotland or Wales, obtain a GB EORI and classify the goods with the correct UK commodity code. The online export declaration needs the declarant’s EORI, commodity code, value, weight, packaging, destination, transport details, and invoice and packing list references. Give the carrier the invoice and any applicable export licences or certificates. Keep the specification consistent across the buyer’s order and shipment paperwork.

Use retail e-commerce only for the listed goods

The cross-border e-commerce retail import list partially covers these goods: Chinese line 76169990 is listed for other non-industrial aluminium articles. Match the actual article to that description before choosing this route. Consumers must accept a risk notice covering origin-country standards, possible differences from Chinese standards, possible absence of Chinese labels with an online Chinese electronic label, and personal use without resale.

Listed goods imported through bonded 1210 or direct 9610 retail channels are supervised as personal-use articles. First-import licence, registration and filing requirements are not applied, except for goods from suspended epidemic areas or goods subject to emergency handling of major quality and safety risks.

The overseas e-commerce business carries the main responsibility for product quality and safety. It must appoint a mainland-registered company to register with customs, declare truthfully and share civil liability. Establish who performs these duties before committing to a retail channel.

Check the Chinese buyer before committing stock

Ask a prospective importer which aluminium specifications it buys, the intended use, the proposed Chinese tariff line and the import route. Review how it reaches customers and who will handle the shipment declaration. For a proposed retail e-commerce order, check that the article fits the non-industrial listing and that the required mainland company is identified.

Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands. If an importer has already approached you, our staff in China check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed. Use our export-to-China service to arrange this work.

We prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China. The regulated roles of importer of record and any required cross-border e-commerce agent stay with licensed partners in China; your brand’s own filings remain your brand’s. Agree the work needed for the particular goods before shipment.