Sourcing aluminium candle tins from China
Empty aluminium candle tins from China carry a flat 6% UK duty under the relevant container line, with no trade remedy or suspension recorded. Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe; approve the tin with your intended wax and wick before production. Cambridge China Bridge sources aluminium candle tins.
Duty on empty aluminium candle tins
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 7612 covers aluminium containers of a capacity not exceeding 300 litres, excluding containers for compressed or liquefied gas and those fitted with mechanical or thermal equipment. This guide concerns empty candle tins for filling. The table shows different tin formats within the same commodity line. See the wider aluminium containers guide.
The supplied tariff records 6% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. It also attaches an import control of fluorinated greenhouse gases. Official guidance prohibits placing products containing banned fluorinated gases on the Great Britain market. For empty candle tins, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable declaration requirement; the attached control alone does not establish which document your shipment needs.
Confirm the material, construction and empty condition through finding your commodity code, rather than relying on the supplier's description of a tin. Confirm with HMRC whether heading 7612 falls within the aluminium scope of the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism and when any obligations would apply. Ask the factory for emissions data and consult the UK carbon border adjustment guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty rigid aluminium candle tins with push-fit lids | 7612 90 80 00 | 6% | None |
Specify the tin, coating and candle combination
Specify the aluminium alloy, wall and base thickness, internal dimensions, usable fill level, base flatness and lid type. Agree tolerances against a signed sample. State whether the body is drawn or seamed, describe the internal coating and approve the exterior finish and artwork. Ask the factory to identify the coating supplied rather than accepting a generic claim that it suits candles.
Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe. As a purchasing check, trial the tin with your intended wax, fragrance, wick and wick adhesive, including burning towards the end of the candle. Assess leakage, stability, heat effects and coating changes. Agree the trial method and acceptance criteria through testing and certification support before approving production.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 3,000 empty aluminium candle tins with lids; illustrative order, not a quotation under 7612 90 80 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £300 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,300. Duty at 6% is £198. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,498, so it is £699.60. Import taxes total £897.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £198 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Body and rim: measure dimensions and thickness against the drawing; check for dents, pinholes, sharp edges and a rocking base during quality inspection.
Lid fit: match lids to tins sampled across cartons; check closure, removal, thread engagement where applicable and clearance above the intended wax level.
Coating and filling: examine scratches, exposed metal and flaking; trial hot filling and storage with your formula, checking seams and the base for leakage.
Finish and packing: compare colour and print with the approved sample; check scuffing, lid counts, protective separators and carton identification on arrival.
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What goes wrong
A thinner body dents during packing, a distorted rim leaves the lid loose, and a poorly formed base rocks on a flat surface. Coating scratches can expose metal to the candle formula, while a leaking seam may only become visible after hot filling. Check production samples using the same filling process planned for sale.
Changing the wick, fragrance or fill level after approving the tin can change its behaviour during burning. Retain samples of the approved combination and repeat your purchasing trials when these components change. Use separators that protect the printed surface and lid fit during transport.
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 candle tins from China?
The supplied tariff records 6% for empty aluminium containers under 7612 90 80 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension.
Which commodity code should I use for empty aluminium candle tins?
7612 90 80 00 is the relevant line for ordinary rigid aluminium container tins. Confirm the actual material and construction with your customs broker before declaring the shipment.
Does a food-container test prove a tin is suitable for candles?
It does not establish performance with your candle formula. Trial the actual wax, fragrance, wick and adhesive for filling, storage, leakage and burning.
What should I check when candle tins arrive?
Check dents, rim edges, base flatness, coating damage, lid fit and print against the approved sample. Set aside damaged stock and trial filling before releasing it to production.