Sourcing abrasion-resistant plate from China
Abrasion-resistant steel plate within heading 7208 has listed UK duties of 0% to 50%, with residual trade remedies of 73.70% anti-dumping or 35.90% countervailing on relevant lines. Confirm non-alloy composition and the exact commodity code before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources abrasion-resistant steel plate.
Duty depends on composition and plate dimensions
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 7208 covers hot-rolled flat products of iron or non-alloy steel, at least 600 mm wide, not clad, plated or coated. This guide covers abrasion-resistant plate only where its composition and processing fit that heading. The table gives candidate lines for plate not further worked than hot-rolled, rather than a classification for every wear-resistant grade.
The supplied tariff snapshot lists 0% for 7208 52 91 10 and 50% for the other selected lines. Steel-measure lines can access duty-free quota where available. The selected heavy-plate lines carry residual anti-dumping duty of 73.70%; 7208 52 99 00 instead lists 0.00% anti-dumping and 35.90% residual countervailing duty. Trade remedies need checking separately from quota relief. No suspensions or attached import controls are recorded for these selected lines.
Ask your broker to confirm the commodity code using the mill chemistry, thickness, width and processing history, including any heat treatment. For material meeting the alloy-steel definition, consult our alloy steel sheet guide. For wider heading coverage, see our hot-rolled pressure-vessel steel plate guide. Check declaration-date measures and quota availability before shipment.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-alloy plate, excluding tool steel, over 15 mm thick | 7208 51 20 10 | 50% outside quota | 73.70% residual anti-dumping |
| Non-alloy plate, excluding tool steel, over 10 to 15 mm thick, width 2 050 mm or more | 7208 51 91 10 | 50% outside quota | 73.70% residual anti-dumping |
| Non-alloy plate, excluding tool steel, over 10 to 15 mm thick, width under 2 050 mm | 7208 51 98 10 | 50% outside quota | 73.70% residual anti-dumping |
| Non-alloy plate, excluding tool steel, 4.75 to 10 mm thick, width 2 050 mm or more | 7208 52 91 10 | 0% | 73.70% residual anti-dumping |
| Other hot-rolled plate, 4.75 to 10 mm thick, width under 2 050 mm | 7208 52 99 00 | 50% outside quota | 0.00% residual anti-dumping; 35.90% residual countervailing |
Specify hardness, toughness and fabrication needs
Describe the wear application: chute liners, hopper walls, conveyor transfer points or replaceable machinery liners. Specify the mill grade, delivery condition, hardness range, test method and sampling locations. Agree impact toughness where loading involves shock, together with thickness, flatness and cutting tolerances. A hardness claim alone does not establish suitability for the operating conditions.
Ask the mill for chemistry, heat treatment records and cutting, bending and welding guidance for the actual grade and thickness. Agree any internal-defect testing before production. Keep the approved specification tied to identifiable heats and plates. Use factory verification to check that the supplier controls rolling, heat treatment and material traceability.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of non-alloy abrasion-resistant plate, subject to classification confirmation under 7208 52 91 10, invoiced at £18,000 free on board, with £2,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £20,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £20,000, so it is £4,000. 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
Identity: match plate markings and heat numbers to the mill certificate, packing list and approved grade; retain supply-chain origin documents.
Hardness: test agreed locations on representative plates using the specified method and surface preparation; compare results with the contractual range.
Dimensions and condition: measure thickness, width, length and flatness; check corrosion, surface cracks, edge damage and cut quality.
Fabrication evidence: review heat treatment and any agreed toughness or internal-defect results; inspect trial-cut or formed samples where required by the order. See quality inspection explained.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A supplier substitutes ordinary plate, mixes heats or supplies certificates that cannot be matched to the shipment. Uneven hardness, poor flatness and unsuitable fabrication instructions can leave liners difficult to fit or prone to cracking. Commercial failures include using a code without checking chemistry, assuming quota removes trade remedies, or claiming an exporter-specific duty without the required invoice declaration.
Check the upstream steel origin: relevant Russian-origin iron or steel processed in China can fall within the UK import prohibition, subject to licensing provisions. Keep verifiable supply-chain evidence. Also ask HMRC or your customs broker to confirm whether the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism applies to your iron and steel imports from 1 January 2027, and request mill emissions data to help prepare. See our UK carbon border adjustment guide.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on abrasion-resistant steel plate from China?
The selected 7208 lines list 0% or 50%. Relevant lines also list 73.70% residual anti-dumping or 35.90% residual countervailing duty. Confirm classification, quota and exporter treatment with your broker.
Does every abrasion-resistant plate belong in heading 7208?
Do not classify by the wear-resistant description alone. Check the mill chemistry against HMRC's alloy-steel criteria and have your broker assess the processing history and dimensions.
How do I check the plate's hardness?
Agree the hardness range, test method, surface preparation and sampling locations before ordering. Match tested plates to their heat numbers and compare independent results with the mill certificate.
Can a named steel mill obtain a different trade remedy rate?
The notices specify exporter rates. To qualify, the importer must present the required valid commercial invoice and accompanying declaration to HMRC using document code D008.