Sourcing alloy steel sheet from China
Heading 7225 alloy steel sheet and coil from China shows UK tariff rates of 0% to 50%, with separate trade remedies on some lines. Classification depends on chemistry, rolling condition and coating; check steel quota eligibility and the origin of steel inputs before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources alloy steel sheet and coil.
Duty depends on the steel and its finish
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 October 2026, heading 7225 covers flat-rolled products of other alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more. Silicon-electrical steel, hot-rolled coil and plate, cold-rolled material and coated products have separate lines. The supplied tariff record shows 0% on grain-oriented electrical steel and the cold-rolled lines, and 50% on the other lines under the steel measure. Check quota availability with your broker before shipment.
Residual remedies vary: selected hot-rolled lines show 0.00% anti-dumping and 35.90% countervailing duty; specified plate lines show 73.70% anti-dumping. Defined galvanised and related coated lines show 27.90% anti-dumping. Painted lines show 13.60% anti-dumping and 44.70% countervailing duty. These are separate from the listed tariff rate. The supplied record lists no suspensions or attached import controls. Ask your broker to confirm the applicable measures rather than simply adding headline rates.
Confirm the commodity code using the mill chemistry, width, thickness, coil or sheet form, rolling condition and coating. Send the certificate and product specification to your broker before agreeing the order. Use UK import duty and VAT to understand the landed-cost calculation.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold-rolled, non-grain-oriented silicon-electrical steel | 7225 19 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Hot-rolled tool steel in coils | 7225 30 10 00 | 50% outside quota | None |
| Other hot-rolled alloy steel in coils | 7225 30 90 00 | 50% outside quota | 0.00% residual anti-dumping; 35.90% residual countervailing |
| Other hot-rolled alloy steel plate exceeding 10 mm thick | 7225 40 40 00 | 50% outside quota | 73.70% residual anti-dumping |
| Other hot-rolled alloy steel sheet below 4.75 mm thick | 7225 40 90 00 | 50% outside quota | 0.00% residual anti-dumping; 35.90% residual countervailing |
| Other cold-rolled alloy steel | 7225 50 80 00 | 0% | None |
| Electrolytically zinc-coated alloy steel, surface-treated only | 7225 91 00 10 | 50% outside quota | None |
| Hot-dip galvanised alloy steel within the listed chemical definition | 7225 92 00 30 | 50% outside quota | 27.90% residual anti-dumping |
| Painted or plastic-coated alloy steel within the listed definition | 7225 99 00 11 | 50% outside quota | 13.60% residual anti-dumping; 44.70% residual countervailing |
Specify chemistry, rolling condition and coating
Write the steel grade and chemical limits into the purchase specification, alongside delivery condition, mechanical properties, thickness and width tolerances, flatness and edge condition. For coil, agree inner diameter, coil mass and permitted joints. For coated material, specify coating composition and mass per side, passivation, oiling and paint system. For electrical steel, agree grain orientation and core-loss test conditions.
Ask for mill certificates linked to each heat and coil, with chemistry and the tests relevant to the intended use. Confirm whether the supplier is the producing mill or a stockholder through factory verification. For construction applications in Great Britain, check the applicable product requirements before sale; CE marking remains available for construction products.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 20 tonnes of other cold-rolled alloy steel sheet under 7225 50 80 00, 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 heat and coil markings to mill certificates, packing lists and the ordered grade; agree independent chemistry checks where substitution would affect use.
Dimensions: measure thickness across the width and along sampled sheets, check width, flatness, edge burrs and coil shape against the agreed tolerances.
Surface: inspect for rust, scratches, scale and bare coating; check coating mass and paint adhesion where specified, and photograph damage before unloading.
Traceability: collect input-origin and processing records before shipment. Official guidance says traders should be prepared to provide documentary evidence of the supply chain consistent with the sanctions prohibitions.
What goes wrong
A supplier's generic description of alloy steel does not establish the tariff line. Missing chemistry, an incorrectly described coating or confusion between coil and plate can change the remedies. Technical disputes arise when sheets meet nominal thickness but fail the agreed tolerance, coils have damaged edges, or moisture causes corrosion beneath the wrapping.
Chinese processing does not remove every Russian-input restriction. Official guidance gives an example in which Russian slabs become alloy steel coils in another country and their import is prohibited. Establish the input history before ordering and refer uncertain histories to your broker for sanctions checks.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on alloy steel sheet from China?
The supplied tariff record shows 0% or 50%, depending on the line. Steel quota eligibility can affect the steel measure, and specified hot-rolled or coated lines also carry trade remedies.
Does galvanised alloy steel attract anti-dumping duty?
Defined galvanised lines show 27.90% residual anti-dumping duty. The coating and steel chemistry determine whether that definition applies; other coated lines have different measures.
What should an alloy steel mill certificate show?
Ask for the heat and coil identity, grade, chemical composition, delivery condition and agreed mechanical results. Add coating information or electrical test results where relevant.
Can I import Chinese-processed steel made from Russian slabs?
Official guidance gives an example of Russian slabs processed into alloy steel coils abroad whose import is prohibited. Refer the input history to your broker before ordering.