Sourcing aluminium cable trays from China
Aluminium cable trays provisionally classified under 7616 99 90 99 carry 6% UK duty from China, with no recorded trade remedy. The listed suspensions cover specified other goods; confirm classification and attached controls before shipment. Agree load evidence for the actual tray and support arrangement. Cambridge China Bridge sources aluminium cable trays.
UK duty on aluminium cable trays
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 7616 covers other articles of aluminium. The supplied data shows 6% duty for Chinese goods under provisional code 7616 99 90 99, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty. The table lists tray variants and fittings sharing this provisional code, rather than separate tariff lines.
The recorded suspensions concern specified guide rails, composite panels, honeycomb blocks, metallised film and aircraft fittings, rather than ordinary cable trays. The tariff attaches torture-and-repression import and export controls. Official guidance prohibits imports and exports of the listed prohibited torture goods. Ask your customs broker to confirm the declaration requirements for the actual trays and fittings.
Give your broker drawings, photographs, alloy details and descriptions of each fitting, then confirm the commodity code. For the wider heading, see aluminium industrial grating.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perforated aluminium cable trays, subject to classification | 7616 99 90 99 | 6% | None |
Tray thickness, support spans and joint design
Specify alloy, temper, sheet thickness, tray width, side height, length and perforation pattern. Agree bends, tees, reducers, covers, splice plates and fasteners as a complete system. State the installation environment, finish and contact with other metals. Keep approved drawings and samples showing hole positions and joint clearances.
Agree the intended cable load and support arrangement with the installation designer. Request load and deflection evidence identifying the supplied tray profile, support span and joint position. Check the proposed bonding arrangement and electrical continuity evidence where relevant to the installation. Discuss the applicable assessment scope through testing and certification.
Ask your adviser to establish whether construction-product marking applies to the particular system and intended use before approving labels. Official guidance says CE marking remains available for construction products placed on the market in Great Britain. Match any supplied conformity documents to the actual product.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative small-business batch of aluminium cable tray lengths and matching fittings; values are illustrative, not a quotation under 7616 99 90 99, invoiced at £12,600 free on board, with £2,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £14,800. Duty at 6% is £888. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £15,688, so it is £3,137.60. Import taxes total £4,025.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £888 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Material and dimensions: compare material certificates, thickness, width, side height and hole positions with the approved drawings; check straightness and twist.
Edges and finish: inspect punched holes, cut ends and bends for burrs, cracks and sharp edges; check coating coverage and damage that could affect cables.
Joint fit: assemble sampled straight sections and fittings with the supplied splice plates and fasteners; check alignment, clearance and cover retention.
Packing and arrival: check bundle identification, fitting counts and protection against crushing and abrasion; repeat condition checks on arrival. Arrange quality inspection before shipment.
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What goes wrong
Thinner sheet or a changed side profile can undermine the agreed load performance. A report for another tray width, support arrangement or joint position leaves the delivered configuration unverified. Require approval before changes to material, profile or splice design.
Misaligned holes delay assembly, burrs can damage cable sheaths, and poorly protected bundles arrive bowed or crushed. Check production fittings together with straight lengths rather than approving them separately. Record defects by bundle and keep damaged sections apart for investigation.
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 aluminium cable trays from China?
The supplied data shows 6% under provisional code 7616 99 90 99, with no recorded anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Confirm the classification of trays and fittings with your customs broker.
Do aluminium cable trays need CE or UKCA marking?
Ask your adviser to establish the applicable regime for the system and intended use. Official guidance says CE marking remains available for construction products in Great Britain. Check product-specific documents before approving labels.
What load evidence should I request from the factory?
Request evidence for the actual tray profile, material, support span and joint position. Have the installation designer check that the tested arrangement matches the proposed cable load and supports.
What should I inspect when cable trays arrive?
Check thickness, straightness, twist, burrs, finish damage and crushed ends. Assemble sample joints and fittings, check cover retention, and reconcile bundle labels and fitting counts with the order.